Button MERCEDES-BENZ M-Class 2011 W164 Repair Manual

Switching off the manual drive programXAMG vehicles: press the program selector
button ( Y page 147) repeatedly until C or
S appears in the multifunction display.150Automatic transmissionDriving and parking
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Problems with the transmissionProblemPossible causes/consequences and M SolutionsThe acceleration ability
is deteriorating.
The transmission no
longer changes gear.The transmission is in emergency mode.
It is only possible to shift into 2nd gear and reverse gear.XStop the vehicle.XShift the transmission to position P.XSwitch off the engine.XWait at least 10 seconds before restarting the engine.XShift the transmission to position D or R.
If D is selected, the transmission shifts into 2nd gear; if R is
selected, the transmission shifts into reverse gear.XHave the transmission checked at a qualified specialist
workshop immediately.Transfer case
This section is only valid for vehicles with 4-
wheel drive (4MATIC). Power is always
transmitted to both axles.
! Performance tests may only be carried
out on a 2-axle dynamometer. The brake
system or transfer case could otherwise be
damaged. Contact an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center for a performance
test. Mercedes-Benz recommends that you
use an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
for this purpose.
! If the parking brake is being tested on a
brake dynamometer, the ignition must be
switched off (SmartKey or Start/Stop
button in position 0 or 1), as ESP ®
will
otherwise automatically intervene. The test
must last a maximum of 10 seconds. The
brake system could otherwise be damaged.Refueling
Important safety guidelines
GWarning!
Gasoline and diesel fuels are highly flammable
and poisonous. They burn violently and can
cause serious injury.
Never allow sparks, flames or smoking
materials near gasoline or diesel fuel!
Turn off the engine before refueling.
Whenever you are around gasoline or diesel
fuel, avoid inhaling fumes and any skin or
clothing contact. Extinguish all smoking
materials.
Direct skin contact with fuels and the
inhalation of fuel vapors are damaging your
health.
GWarning
Overfilling of the fuel tank may create
pressure in the system which could cause a
gas discharge. This could cause the gasoline
to spray back out when removing the fuel
pump nozzle, which could cause personal
injury.
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XInsert AdBlue®
cap : as shown and turn
it clockwise as far as it will go.XFold the load compartment floor down.XClose the tailgate.XDrive at a speed above 10 mph (16 km/h).
The Check Additive – See
Operator's Manual disappears after
approximately one minute.
i If the Check Additive – See
Operator's Manual is still displayed in
the multifunction display, top up with
another bottle of AdBlue ®
.
i Then, have the AdBlue ®
supply checked
and filled completely if necessary.
Mercedes-Benz recommends that you use
a qualified specialist workshop such as an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center for this
purpose.
Parking
Important safety guidelines
GWarning!
Do not park this vehicle in areas where
combustible materials such as grass, hay or
leaves can come into contact with the hot
exhaust system. These materials could be
ignited and cause a vehicle fire.
Vehicle movement may result in serious
personal injury or damage to the vehicle or
vehicle drivetrain. Therefore, always do the
following before turning off the engine and
leaving the vehicle:
R Keep right foot on the brake pedal.
R Engage the parking brake.
R Shift the automatic transmission into park
position P.
R Slowly release the brake pedal.
R When parked on an incline, always turn the
front wheels towards the road curb.
R Turn the SmartKey in the starter switch to
position 0 and remove the SmartKey from
the starter switch, or press the KEYLESS-
GO start/stop button.
R Take the SmartKey with you and lock the
vehicle when leaving.
Switching off the engine
Important safety instructions
GWarning
Do not turn off the engine before the vehicle
has come to a complete stop. With the engine
not running, there is no power assistance for
the brake and steering systems. In this case,
it is important to keep in mind that a
considerably higher degree of effort is
necessary to brake and steer the vehicle.
i If you cannot turn off the engine as
described here, see "Emergency engine
shut down" ( Y page 322).
Vehicles with automatic transmission
GWarning!
Keep in mind that turning off the engine alone
only will shift the automatic transmission into
neutral position N automatically.
Always shift the automatic transmission into
park position P before turning off the engine.
Otherwise the vehicle could roll away which
could result in an accident and/or serious
personal injury.
XShift the transmission to position P.
Using the SmartKey
XTurn the SmartKey to position 0 in the
ignition lock and remove it.
The immobilizer is activated.XApply the parking brake firmly.
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 switches to P
automatically.
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Using KEYLESS-GOXPress the Start/Stop button (Y page 139).
When the driver's door is closed, the Start/
Stop button is in position 1. When the
driver's door is opened, the Start/Stop
button moves to position 0. This
corresponds to removing the SmartKey.XApply the parking brake firmly.
i If you turn off the engine with the Start/
Stop button and open a front door, the
automatic transmission switches to P
automatically.
i The engine can be turned off while the
vehicle is in motion by pressing and holding
the Start/Stop button for three seconds.
If you have started the engine with the Start/
Stop button and it cannot be switched off as
described:
Xremove the Start/Stop button from the
ignition lock.Xinsert the SmartKey into the ignition lock.
The engine stops. The ignition lock is in
position 0.
Parking brake
GWarning
Engaging the parking brake while the vehicle
is in motion can cause the rear wheels to lock
up. You could lose control of the vehicle and
cause an accident. In addition, the vehicle's
brake lights do not light up when the parking
brake is engaged.
GWarning!
When leaving the vehicle, always remove the
SmartKey from the starter switch, take it with
you, and lock the vehicle. Do not leave
children unattended in the vehicle, or with
access to an unlocked vehicle. Children could
release the parking brake and/or shift the
automatic transmission out of park position
P , either of which could result in an accident
and/or serious personal injury.
XTo apply: depress parking brake ; firmly.
When the engine is running, the $ (USA
only) or J (Canada only) indicator lamp
lights up in the instrument cluster.XTo release: depress the brake pedal and
keep it depressed.XPull release handle :.
When the ignition is switched on or the
engine is running, the $ (USA only) or
J (Canada only) indicator lamp goes out
in the instrument cluster.
Parking up the vehicle
If you leave the vehicle parked up for longer
than four weeks, the battery may be damaged
by exhaustive discharge.
XDisconnect the battery or connect it to a
trickle charger.
i You can obtain information about trickle
chargers from a qualified specialist
workshop, e.g. an authorized Mercedes-
Benz Center.
If you leave the vehicle parked up for longer
than six weeks, the vehicle may suffer
damage as a result of lack of use.
XVisit a qualified specialist workshop and
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Wet roadsGWarning
After driving in heavy rain for some time
without applying the brakes or through water
deep enough to wet brake components, the
first braking action may be somewhat
reduced. You have to depress the brake pedal
more firmly. Maintain a safe distance from
vehicles in front.
After driving on a wet road or having the
vehicle washed, brake firmly while paying
attention to the traffic conditions. This will
warm up the brake discs, thereby drying them
more quickly and protecting them against
corrosion.
Limited braking performance on salt
treated roads
GWarning
The layer of salt on the brake discs and the
brake pads/linings may cause a delay in the
braking effect, resulting in a significantly
longer braking distance, which could lead to
an accident.
To avoid this danger, you should:
R occasionally brake carefully, without
putting other road users at risk, when you
are driving on salted roads. This helps to
remove any salt that may have started to
build up on the brake discs and the brake
pads/linings.
R maintain a greater distance to the vehicle
ahead and drive with particular care.
R carefully apply the brakes at the end of a
trip and immediately after commencing a
new trip, so that salt residues are removed
from the brake discs.
Maintenance of the brakes
! If the brake warning lamp lights up in the
instrument cluster and you hear a warning
tone, even though the parking brake has
been released, 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 an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
All checks and maintenance work on the
brake system must be carried out at a
qualified specialist workshop. Contact an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Only install brake pads and use brake fluid
recommended by Mercedes-Benz.GWarning
If other than recommended brake pads are
installed, or other than recommended brake
fluid is used, the braking properties of the
vehicle can be degraded to an extent that safe
braking is substantially impaired. This could
result in an accident.
! Vehicles with 4MATIC: a function or
performance test may only be carried out
on a two-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, the drive train
or the brake system may suffer damage.
! Vehicles with 4MATIC: as the ESP®
system operates automatically, the engine
and the ignition system must be switched
off (SmartKey in position 0 or 1 in the
ignition lock or Start/Stop button in
position 0 or 1) when:
R testing the parking brake on a brake
dynamometer.
R you intend to have the vehicle towed with
one of the axles raised.
Braking maneuvers triggered automatically
by ESP ®
may seriously damage the brake
system.
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! Vehicles with 4MATIC: as the ESP®
system operates automatically, the engine
and the ignition must be switched off
(SmartKey in position 0 or 1 in the ignition
lock or Start/Stop button in position 0 or
1 ) while the parking brake is being tested
on a brake dynamometer (maximum 10
seconds).
Braking maneuvers triggered automatically
by ESP ®
may seriously damage the brake
system.
If your brake system is only subjected to
moderate loads, you should regularly test
your brake system's function by forcefully
depressing the brake pedal when driving at
high speed. This also improves the brake
pads' friction.GWarning
Make sure that you do not endanger other
road users when you apply the brakes.
You can find a description of Brake Assist
(BAS) on ( Y page 66).
High-performance brake system for
AMG vehicles
The high-performance brake system is only
installed on the ML 63 AMG.
GWarning
New vehicle brake pads and discs, and
replacement brake pads and discs may take
several hundred miles of driving until they
provide optimum braking efficiency. Until that
time, you may need to use increased brake
pedal pressure while braking. Please be aware
of this and adjust your driving and braking
accordingly during this break-in period.
Excessive high-demand braking will cause
correspondingly high brake wear. Please be
attentive to the brake warning lamp in the
instrument cluster and brake condition
messages in the multifunction display.
Especially for high performance driving, it is
important to maintain and have the brake
system checked regularly.
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.
Parking brake
If you drive on wet roads or dirt-covered
surfaces, road salt and/or dirt could get into
the parking brake.
In order to prevent corrosion and a reduction
in the braking power of the parking brake,
observe the following:
R gently depress the parking brake from time
to time before beginning the journey.
R drive approximately 110 yd (100 m)
without exceeding a speed of 12 mph
(20 km/h).
GWarning!
While performing this procedure please
assure that the vehicle is stopped before
applying the parking brake. Otherwise the
rear wheels could lock up. You could lose
control of the vehicle and cause an accident.
In addition, the vehicle’s brake lights do not
light up when the parking brake is engaged.
Make sure not to endanger any other road
users when you engage the parking brake.
Driving on wet roads
Hydroplaning
If water has accumulated to a certain depth
on the road surface, there is a danger of
hydroplaning occurring, even if:
R you drive at low speeds
R the tires have adequate tread depth
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Do not place your foot under the brake pedal
– your foot could become caught.
DISTRONIC displays in the
multifunction displayXPress the V or U button to select the
DISTRONIC menu (Y page 207).
Display when DISTRONIC is switched off
When DISTRONIC is deactivated, you will see
the following in the multifunction display:
:Vehicle in front, if detected;Distance indicator, displaying current
distance to the vehicle in front=Specified minimum distance to the
vehicle in front, adjustable?Own vehicle
Display when DISTRONIC is activated
After this time, you will see the following in
the multifunction display while DISTRONIC is
activated:
:DISTRONIC activated;Stored speed
When activating DISTRONIC and when setting
the speed, stored speed ; appears for
around five seconds.
After approximately five seconds, current
saved speed ; is shown in the status
indicator in the multifunction display
DTR XXX Miles .
Deactivating DISTRONIC
There are a number of ways to deactivate
DISTRONIC:
XBriefly press the cruise control lever
forwards :.
or
XBrake.
i
The last speed stored remains stored until
you switch off the engine.
i DISTRONIC is not deactivated if you
depress the accelerator pedal. If you
accelerate to overtake, DISTRONIC adjusts
the vehicle's speed to the last speed stored
after you have finished overtaking.
DISTRONIC is automatically deactivated if:
R you apply the parking brake.
R you are driving slower than 20 mph
(25 km/h) and there is no vehicle in front,
or if the vehicle in front is no longer
detected.
R ESP ®
intervenes or if you deactivate ESP ®
.
R you shift the transmission to P, R or N.
If DISTRONIC is deactivated, you will hear a
warning tone. You will see the DISTRONIC
Off message in the multifunction display for
approximately five seconds.
Tips for driving with DISTRONIC
The following contains descriptions of certain
road and traffic conditions in which you must
be particularly attentive. In such situations,
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accident if you drive too fast. ESP®
cannot
override the laws of physics.
! When driving on extremely rough terrain,
select a high vehicle level in good time.
Make sure that there is always sufficient
ground clearance to prevent damage to the
vehicle.
! Remove the key from the ignition before
raising one or more wheels with the
appropriate equipment.
Information on "Off-road driving"; see
( Y page 166).
Level setting
Basic settings, excluding AMG vehicles
The extent to which the vehicle is raised or
lowered depends on the basic setting
selected. Select raised level for off-road
driving or highway/high-speed level for
normal roads.
The individual vehicle levels differ from
highway level as follows:
R +2.3 in (+ 60 mm) in raised level
R +/–0 in (+/–0 mm) in highway level
R –0.6 in (–15 mm) in high-speed level
i The high-speed level is not available when
you are towing a trailer. Observe the notes
on driving with a trailer ( Y page 198).
Basic settings for AMG vehicles
The extent to which the vehicle is raised or
lowered depends on the ADS setting
selected. Select raised level for off-road
driving or highway/high-speed level for
normal roads.
In raised level, the vehicle is 2.9 in (73 mm)
higher than in Highway level with ADS
AUTO .
Raised level
Only select raised level if this is appropriate
for the road conditions. Otherwise, fuel
consumption may increase and handling may
be affected.XStart the engine.XPress button :.
Indicator lamp ; flashes. The vehicle rises
to raised level.
While the adjustment is taking place, a
message appears in the multifunction
display, e.g.:
If you press the V, U , & or *
button on the multifunction steering wheel,
the message will disappear.
Once the vehicle has reached raised level,
indicator lamp ; remains lit. You will see a
message in the multifunction display, for
example:
If you want to select raised level at a speed
above 40 mph (64 km/h), the Level
Selection Not Permitted message
appears in the multifunction display.
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Highway/high-speed level
! Make sure that there is enough ground
clearance when the vehicle is being
lowered. It could otherwise hit the ground,
damaging the underbody.XStart the engine.
If indicator lamp ; is lit:
XPress button :.
Indicator lamp ; flashes. The vehicle is
adjusting to highway/high-speed level.
While the adjustment is taking place, a
message appears in the multifunction
display, e.g.:
If you press the V, U , & or *
button on the multifunction steering wheel,
the message will disappear.
Once highway level has been reached,
indicator lamp ; goes out. You will see a
message in the multifunction display, for
example:
The vehicle is automatically lowered to high-
speed level if you are driving at speeds above
55 mph (88 km/h) or for approximately 20
seconds between 40 mph (64 km/h) and
55 mph (88 km/h).
AIRMATIC package
General notes
AIRMATIC enables a suspension tuning
setting to be selected and regulates the
damping behavior and level of your vehicle.
The system comprises two components: ADS
(Adaptive Damping System) ( Y page 184)
and level control ( Y page 181) .
Observe the notes on driving with a trailer
( Y page 198).
AMG vehicles
The AIRMATIC package is part of the standard
equipment. Due to the sportier suspension
tuning when compared to standard vehicles,
the level positions in the ADS settings and the
speed thresholds for raising and lowering the
vehicle are different.
The vehicle is lowered from highway/high-
speed level to ADS Sport level around 20
seconds after locking. The vehicle is not
lowered from raised level after locking. When
the engine is started, the previous setting,
e.g. ADS COMF , is restored.
! Always keep in mind the differences in
ground clearance and vehicle height when
compared to standard vehicles. You could
otherwise damage the vehicle.
You will find different values for ground
clearance and vehicle height with regard to:
R off-road fording ( Y page 164)
R the general vehicle dimensions in the
"Technical data" section
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ADS (Adaptive Damping System)
General notes
ADS is continuously electronically controlled.
It adapts the damping characteristics to the
current operating and driving situation.
Damping is controlled separately for each
wheel. This increases driving safety and tire
comfort.
This depends on:
R your driving style
R the road surface conditions
R the ADS setting
R the vehicle level setting
Your selection remains stored even if you
remove the key from the ignition lock.
You can choose between the following ADS
settings:
R AUTO for normal driving situations;
indicator lamps ; and = are off.
R SPORT for sporty driving; indicator
lamp ; is on. In comparison to AUTO or
COMF , the vehicle is 0.6 in (15 mm) lower.
In comparison to AUTO, AMG vehicles are
0.3 in (8 mm) lower.
R COMF for a more comfortable ride;
indicator lamp = is on.
In comparison to AUTO, AMG vehicles are
0.28 in (7 mm) higher.
XStart the engine.XPress button : repeatedly until the
desired setting is selected.PARKTRONIC
Important safety guidelinesGWarning!
The 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 remains with the driver.
GWarning!
Make sure no persons or animals are in or
near the area in which you are parking/
maneuvering. Otherwise, they could be
injured.
PARKTRONIC is an electronic parking aid with
ultrasonic sensors. It indicates visually and
audibly the distance between your vehicle
and an object.
PARKTRONIC is activated automatically when
you:
R switch on the ignition.
R shift the transmission to position D, R or
N .
R release the parking brake.
PARKTRONIC is deactivated at speeds above
11 mph (18 km/h). It is reactivated at lower
speeds.
PARKTRONIC monitors the area around your
vehicle using six sensors in the front bumper
and four sensors in the rear bumper.
:Sensors in the front bumper, left-hand
side (example)184Driving systemsDriving and parking
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