MERCEDES-BENZ ML SUV 2008 Owners Manual

Transmission
108
In transmission position
D(Y page 109), you
can influence the gearshifts made by the
automatic transmission by using the DIRECT
SELECT steering wheel gearshift buttons to:
R restrict the shift range
R change gear yourself on vehicles with the
manual gearshift program (S/M)*
R change gear yourself on the ML 63 AMG
with the manual gearshift program
(S/C/M)*
Transmission display The current transmission position and drive
program appear in the display. !
If the transmission display is not working,
you should pull away carefully to check
whether the desired gear is selected. Ide-
ally, you should select transmission posi-
tion Dand drive program S*. On AMG vehicles, select gearshift program
C. Do
not restrict the shift range.
Transmission positions ì Park position
Prevents the vehicle from rolling
away when stopped. Only select
P
when your vehicle is stationary.
If you switch off the engine using
the key and then remove the key or
open one of the front doors, the
automatic transmission will auto-
matically shift to park position P.
If you switch off the engine using
the KEYLESS GO button* and open
the driver's door, the automatic
transmission will automatically
shift to park position P. í Reverse gear
Only shift the automatic transmis-
sion to
Rwhen the vehicle is sta-
tionary. ë Neutral
Do not shift the automatic trans-
mission to
Nwhile you are driving.
The automatic transmission could
otherwise be damaged.
If you switch off the engine using
the key or the KEYLESS GO but-
ton*, the automatic transmission
will automatically shift to neutral
N.
If ESP ®
is deactivated or faulty,
only shift the automatic transmis-
sion to Nif the vehicle is in danger
of skidding, e.g. on icy roads. ê Drive
The automatic transmission
changes gear automatically. All
forward gears are available.
Shift ranges
In transmission position
D, you can use the
DIRECT SELECT steering wheel gearshift but-
tons (Y page 109) to restrict or derestrict the
shift range for the automatic transmission.
i If the maximum engine speed for the shift
range is reached and you continue to accel-
erate, the automatic transmission shifts up Controls
* optional
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Transmission
109
in order to prevent the engine from over-
revving, even if the shift range is restricted. Driving situation
è The braking effect of the engine can
be used in this position.
ç To use the braking effect of the
engine on downhill gradients and
for driving:
R
on steep mountain roads
R in mountainous terrain
R in arduous conditions æ To use the braking effect of the
engine on extremely steep downhill
gradients and long downhill
stretches
Restricting the shift range
X
Press the left-hand button on the steering
wheel (Y page 109).
The set shift range appears in the multi-
function display. Derestricting the shift range
X
Press the right-hand button on the steering
wheel (Y page 109).
The set shift range appears in the multi-
function display.
Driving tips Accelerator pedal position
Your style of driving influences how the auto-
matic transmission shifts gear:
R
little throttle: early upshifts
R more throttle: late upshifts
Kickdown
Use kickdown for maximum acceleration.
X Depress the accelerator pedal beyond the
pressure point.
The transmission shifts to a lower gear
depending on the engine speed.
X Ease off the accelerator pedal once the
desired speed is reached.
The automatic transmission shifts back up. Trailer towing
X
Drive in the middle of the engine speed
range on uphill gradients.
X Shift down to shift range 3or 2depending
on the incline of the uphill or downhill gra-
dient (Y page 108), even if cruise control is
activated. DIRECT SELECT steering wheel gear-
shift buttons
You can restrict or derestrict the shift range
using the DIRECT SELECT steering wheel
gearshift buttons. In the manual drive pro-
gram, you can use the DIRECT SELECT steer-
ing wheel gearshift buttons or DIRECT
SELECT steering wheel gearshift paddles to
change gears.
i You can only use all the functions of the
DIRECT SELECT steering wheel gearshift
buttons in drive program Monce the vehi-
cle has reached its operating temperature. Controls
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Transmission
1101
Right button: to derestrict the shift range
or shift up (in manual drive program M)
2 Left button: to restrict the shift range or
shift down (in manual drive program M)
i When the automatic transmission is in
position P,Nor R, you cannot shift gears
using the DIRECT SELECT steering wheel
gearshift buttons.
Derestricting the shift range X
Press right-hand button 1on the steering
wheel.
The shift range is derestricted
(Y page 108). If you are driving in manual
drive program M, the automatic transmis-
sion shifts up to the next gear. i
If the maximum engine speed for the shift
range is reached and you continue to accel-
erate, the automatic transmission shifts up,
even if the shift range is restricted.
Restricting the shift range G
Risk of accident
Do not change down for additional engine
braking on a slippery road surface. This
could cause the drive wheels to lose their
grip and the vehicle could skid.
i In order to prevent the engine from over-
revving, the automatic transmission does
not shift down when the engine speed is
too high.
X Press left-hand button 2on the steering
wheel.
The shift range is restricted (Y page 108).
If you are driving in manual drive program
M, the automatic transmission shifts down
to the next gear. Selecting the ideal shift range X
Press and hold the left-hand button on the
steering wheel until a shift range appears
in the display.
The automatic transmission will shift to a
range which allows ideal acceleration and
deceleration. To do this, the automatic
transmission will shift down one or more
gears.
Derestricting the shift range X
Press and hold the right-hand button on the
steering wheel until the corresponding
number for the gear disappears from the
display.
The automatic transmission shifts from the
current shift range directly to D.Controls
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Transmission
111Gearshift program
i The description does not apply to the ML
63 AMG. For a description of the gearshift
program of the ML 63 AMG, see
(Y page 112).
You can select either gearshift program Sor
M on vehicles with the Off-Road Pro engi-
neering package*.
The program selector button is located on the
centre console. 1
Program selector button S
Sport For all normal driving con-
ditions
M
Manual For manual gearshifting The selected gearshift program is shown in
the multi-function display.
1
Current gearshift program
X To activate: press program selector but-
ton repeatedly until Mappears in the dis-
play.
The automatic transmission changes to
manual gearshift program M. Automatic
gearshifting is deactivated.
If you have selected transmission position D,
you can activate the manual gearshift pro-
gram and shift up or down through the indi-
vidual gears. The gear currently selected and
engaged is shown in the display.
X To deactivate: press program selector
button repeatedly until Sor Mappears in
the display.
or X
Restart the engine.
The automatic transmission then switches
to the automatic gearshift program.
Upshifting X
Press the right-hand button on the steering
wheel.
The automatic transmission shifts up to the
next gear.
Downshifting G
Risk of accident
Do not change down for additional engine
braking on a slippery road surface. This
could cause the drive wheels to lose their
grip and the vehicle could skid.
X Press the left-hand button on the steering
wheel.
The automatic transmission shifts down to
the next gear.
Kickdown You can also use kickdown for maximum
acceleration in manual gearshift program
M. Controls
* optional
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Transmission
112
X
Depress the accelerator pedal beyond the
pressure point.
The transmission shifts to a lower gear
depending on the engine speed.
X Shift back up once the desired speed is
reached.
i If you apply full throttle, the automatic
transmission shifts up to the next gear
when the maximum engine speed is
reached. This prevents the engine from
overrevving.
i If you brake or bring the vehicle to a halt,
the automatic transmission shifts down to
a gear in which you can accelerate or pull
away most easily. Gearshift program (only ML 63 AMG)
You can choose between gearshift programs
C, Sand M. The program selector button is located on the
centre console. 1
Program selector button C
Comfort For comfort mode
S
Sport For all normal driving con-
ditions
M
Manual For manual gearshifting The selected gearshift program is shown in
the multi-function display.
1
Current gearshift program
X To activate:
Press the program selector button repeat-
edly until Mappears in the display.
The automatic transmission changes to
manual gearshift program M. Automatic
gearshifting is deactivated.
If you have selected drive position D, you can
activate the manual gearshift program and
shift up or down through the individual gears.
The gear currently selected and engaged is
shown in the display.
i In manual gearshift program M, the auto-
matic transmission does not shift down
automatically, even if kickdown is used. Controls
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Instrument cluster
113
Upshifting !
In manual gearshift program M, the auto-
matic transmission does not shift up auto-
matically even when the limiting speed for
the current gear is reached. When the lim-
iting speed is reached, the fuel supply is cut
to prevent the engine from overrevving.
You must make sure that the engine speed
does not reach the red area of the rev coun-
ter. There is otherwise a risk of engine
damage.
If the engine speed reaches the red area, an
upshift indicator will be shown in the display
if the AMG display is switched on. 1
Gear indicator
2 Upshift indicator
X Press the right-hand button on the steering
wheel.
The automatic transmission shifts up to the
next gear. Downshifting G
Risk of accident
Do not change down for additional engine
braking on a slippery road surface. This
could cause the drive wheels to lose their
grip and the vehicle could skid.
X Press the left-hand button on the steering
wheel.
The automatic transmission shifts down to
the next gear. Instrument cluster
Points to remember
You will find an illustration of the instrument
cluster in the "At a glance" section
(Y page 26). G
Risk of accident
If the instrument cluster or the multi-func-
tion display fails, no messages can be dis-
played.
This means that you will not see information
about the driving situation, such as the
speed, outside temperature, warning/indi-
cator lamps, display messages or system
failures. The handling characteristics may
be affected. Adapt your driving style and
speed accordingly.
Immediately consult a qualified specialist
workshop which has the necessary special-
ist knowledge and tools to carry out the
work required. Mercedes-Benz recom-
mends that you use a Mercedes-Benz
Service Centre for this purpose. In particu-
lar, work relevant to safety or on safety-
related systems must be carried out at a
qualified specialist workshop. Cont
rols
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Instrument cluster
114 Activating the multi-function display
X Switch on the ignition. 1
To dim the instrument cluster lighting
2 Reset button
3 To brighten the instrument cluster lighting
The multi-function display is also activated
when you:
R switch on the lights
R press reset button 2
R open a front door Adjusting the instrument cluster
lighting
X Brighter: press and hold down button 3.
X Dimmer: press and hold down button 1. Resetting the trip meter
X Select the standard display menu
(Y page 120).
X Press and hold reset button 2until the trip
meter is reset. Clock
On vehicles with Audio 20, you can set the
time using the on-board computer
(Y page 129). Speedometer with segments
The segments in the speedometer indicate
which speed range is available.
Distronic* mode:
One or two segments around the stored
speed light up. Rev counter
The red band in the rev counter indicates the
engine's overrevving range. The fuel supply is
interrupted to protect the engine when the
red band is reached.
! Do not drive in the overrevving range.
Doing so will damage the engine. H
Environmental note
Avoid driving at high engine speeds, as this
increases your vehicle's consumption
unnecessarily and pollutes the environ-
ment through increased emissions. Cont
rols
* optional
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On-board computer
115Outside temperature display
G
Risk of accident
The road surface may be icy, especially in
wooded areas or on bridges, even if tem-
peratures are just above freezing point. The
vehicle could skid if you fail to adapt your
driving style. You should therefore always
adapt your driving style and speed to suit
the weather conditions.
There is a short delay before a change in out-
side temperature is displayed. On-board computer
Points to remember
The on-board computer is activated as soon
as you turn the key to position 1in the ignition
lock. You can use the on-board computer to
call up information relating to your vehicle
and to make and adjust settings.
You can call up the next service due date,
select the display language for the instrument
cluster and set other functions. G
Risk of accident
Only use the on-board computer when road
and traffic conditions permit. You would
otherwise be distracted and unable to con-
centrate properly on driving, and could
cause an accident.
The on-board computer shows information in
the multi-function display. Multi-function steering wheel
You can control the multi-function display and
the settings in the on-board computer with
the buttons on the multi-function steering
wheel. Controls
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On-board computer
116 1 Multi-function display
2 s
t
Accepts or rejects a call*
æ
ç R
Selects submenus in the
Settings menu
R Changes values
R Adjusts the volume
R Operates the RACETIMER 15
! Switches on Linguatronic* –
please refer to the separate
operating instructions 3 è
· Selecting menus: scrolls back
and forth
0 Switches off Linguatronic* –
please refer to the separate
operating instructions j
k
Press briefly
to scroll back
and forth in a menu.
In the Audio/TV*/DVD*
menu: selects a stored sta-
tion, an audio track or a video
scene.
In the Telephone menu:
switches to the phone book
and selects a name or phone
number. j
k
Press and hold
in theAudio/
TV*/DVD* menu: selects the
next/previous station or
selects an audio track using
rapid scrolling.
In the Telephone menu:
starts rapid scrolling through
the telephone book. Several functions are combined thematically
in the menus.
For example, the
Audio/TV*/DVD* menu
contains functions for operating the radio or
DVD player. The functions can be used either
to look up information or to change settings
for your vehicle. You can think of the configuration of the
menus and the functions within a menu as a
circle:
X Press the èorÿ button repeatedly
to call up individual menus in sequence.
X Press the korj button to call up
the functions within a menu.
Unlike other menus, the Settingsmenu con-
tains a number of submenus ( Ypage 127).
The number of menus depends on the equip-
ment in your vehicle.
15 Only on AMG vehicles. Controls
* optional
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On-board computer
117Multi-function display
The multi-function display shows you values and settings as well as any display messages
that may have been generated. 1
Display area for menus or submenus
2 Transmission position
3 Gearshift program
4 Status bar with outside temperature or
speed (Y page 129) Controls
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