MERCEDES-BENZ ML320 2008 W164 Owner's Manual
Manufacturer: MERCEDES-BENZ, Model Year: 2008, Model line: ML320, Model: MERCEDES-BENZ ML320 2008 W164Pages: 561
Page 411 of 561

410 Practical hints
What to do if …
ProblemPossible cause/consequenceSuggested solution
The yellow fuel tank reserve warn-
ing lamp in the fuel gauge comes
on while driving.The fuel level has gone below the reserve mark.Refuel at the next gas station
(
page 337).
1The red SRS indicator lamp comes
on while driving.There is a malfunction in the restraint systems.
The air bags or Emergency Tensioning Device
(ETDs) could deploy unexpectedly or fail to
deploy unexpectedly in an accident.Drive with added caution to the
nearest authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck
Center.
Warning!G
In the event a malfunction of the SRS is indi-
cated as outlined above, the SRS may not be
operational. For your safety, we strongly
recommend that you visit an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center immedi-
ately to have the system checked, otherwise
the SRS may not be activated when needed
in an accident, which could result in serious
or fatal injury, or it might deploy unexpect-
edly and unnecessarily which could result in
an accident and/or injury to you or to
others.
Page 412 of 561

411 Practical hints
What to do if …
Lamp in center console
ProblemPossible cause/consequenceSuggested solution
59The front passenger
front air bag off indica-
tor lamp illuminates
and remains illuminat-
ed with the weight of a
typical adult or some-
one larger than a small
individual on the front
passenger seat.The system is malfunctioning.Have the system checked as soon as
possible by an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center.
Also read and observe any messages
in the multifunction display and follow
corrective steps (
page 421).
Warning!G
If the59indicator lamp
illuminates and remains illuminated with the
weight of a typical adult or someone larger
than a small individual on the front passen-
ger seat, do not have any passenger use the
front passenger seat until the system has
been repaired.
Page 413 of 561

412 Practical hints
What to do if …
ProblemPossible
cause/consequenceSuggested solution
59The front passenger
front air bag off indica-
tor lamp does not illu-
minate and/or does
not remain illuminated
with the weight of a
typical 12-month-old
child in a standard
child restraint or less
on the front passenger
seat.The system is malfunction-
ing.Make sure there is nothing between seat cushion and
child seat and check installation of the child seat.
Make sure no objects applying supplemental weight
onto the seat are present.
Make sure 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 recognize
such forces as supplemental weight.
If the front passenger front air bag off indicator lamp
remains out, have the system checked as soon as pos-
sible by an authorized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck
Center. Do not transport a child on the front passen-
ger seat until the system has been repaired.
Also note any messages in the multifunction display
and follow corrective steps (
page 421).
Warning!G
If the59indicator lamp does
not illuminate or remains out with the
weight of a typical 12-month-old child in a
standard child restraint or less on the front
passenger seat, do not transport a child onthe front passenger seat until the system
has been repaired.
Page 414 of 561

413 Practical hints
What to do if …
Vehicle status messages in the
multifunction display
Warning and malfunction messages
appear in the multifunction display located
in the instrument cluster.
Certain warning and malfunction messag-
es are accompanied by an audible signal.
Address these messages accordingly and
follow the additional instructions given in
this Operator’s Manual.
Selecting the vehicle status message
memory menu in the control system
(
page 162) displays both cleared and
uncleared messages.
High-priority messages appear in the
multifunction display in red color.Certain messages of high priority cannot
be cleared from the multifunction display
using the reset button (
page 145) or
buttonj,k,ÿ, orè on the
multifunction steering wheel.
Other messages of high priority and mes-
sages of less immediate priority can be
cleared from the multifunction display
using the reset button (
page 145) or
buttonj,k,ÿ, orè on the
multifunction steering wheel. They are
then stored in the vehicle status message
memory (
page 162). Remember that
clearing a message will only make the mes-
sage disappear. Clearing a message will
not correct the condition that caused the
message to appear.
Warning!G
All categories of messages contain
important information which should be
taken note of and, where a malfunction is
indicated, addressed as soon as possible at
an authorized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck
Center.
Failure to repair condition noted may cause
damage not covered by the Mercedes-Benz
Limited Warranty, or result in property dam-
age or personal injury.
Page 415 of 561

414 Practical hints
What to do if …
On the pages that follow, you will find a
compilation of the most important warning
and malfunction messages that may
appear in the multifunction display.
For your convenience the messages are
divided into two sections:
Text messages (page 415)
Symbol messages (page 427)
Warning!G
No messages will be displayed if either the
instrument cluster or the multifunction
display is inoperative.
As a result, you will not be able to see infor-
mation about your driving conditions, such
as speed or outside temperature, warn-
ing/indicator lamps, malfunction/warning
messages or the failure of any systems.
Driving characteristics may be impaired.
If you must continue to drive, please do so
with added caution. Visit an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center as soon
as possible.
iSwitching on the ignition causes all
instrument cluster lamps (except high beam
headlamp indicator lamp, and turn signal
indicator lamps unless activated) as well as the
multifunction display to come on. Make sure the
lamps and multifunction display are in working
order before starting your journey.
Page 416 of 561

415 Practical hints
What to do if …
Text messages
Display messagePossible cause/consequencePossible solution
ABSABS, ESP Inoperative
See Operator’s ManualThe ABS and the ESP® have been
switched off due to a malfunction.
The BAS is also switched off.
The brake system is still functioning
normally but without the ABS avail-
able.Continue driving with added caution.
Wheels may lock during hard braking,
reducing steering capability.
Have the system checked at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center as soon
as possible.
Failure to follow these instructions increases
the risk of an accident.
ABS, ESP Unavailable
See Operator’s ManualThe ABS and the ESP® have been
switched off because of insufficient
power supply. The charging voltage
has fallen below 10 volts.
The BAS is also switched off.
The brake system is still functioning
normally but without the ABS
available.When the voltage is above this value again, the
ABS is operational again and the message in
the multifunction display should disappear.
If the message in the multifunction display
does not disappear:
Have the system checked at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center as soon
as possible.
Page 417 of 561

416 Practical hints
What to do if …
Display messagePossible cause/consequencePossible solution
ABSUnavailable
See Operator’s ManualThe 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
SPEEDTRONICInoperativeThe cruise control is malfunctioning.Have cruise control checked by an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Light
Truck Center.
Cruise Control––– MPHYou 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 244).
The ESP® is switched off.Switch on the ESP® (page 100).
The automatic transmission is set to
positionP, R, orN.Set the automatic transmission to
positionD (
page 185).
The vehicle is secured with the
parking brake.Release the parking brake
(
page 57).
Page 418 of 561

417 Practical hints
What to do if …
Display messagePossible cause/consequencePossible solution
Depress brake
to shift out of P.You have tried to shift the automatic
transmission into positionD,R orN
using the gear selector lever without
depressing the brake pedal.Depress the brake pedal.
Door Open
Vehicle Not In ParkYou have opened the driver’s door
and the automatic transmission is
still in positionD,R orN.Before you leave the vehicle, make sure
that the automatic transmission is set to
positionP and that the parking brake is
engaged.
Drive to workshop
without
shifting gears.The automatic transmission cannot
be shifted out of the set position be-
cause of a malfunction.If the automatic transmission is set to
positionD:
Without changing the automatic transmis-
sion from positionD, drive to an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center.
If the automatic transmission is set to
positionN,R orP:
Do not drive.
Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Light
Truck Center.
Page 419 of 561

418 Practical hints
What to do if …
Display messagePossible cause/consequencePossible solution
ESPInoperative
See Operator’s ManualIn addition, the yellow ESP® warning
lampv comes on.
The ESP
® has detected a malfunc-
tion and switched off.
The ABS may still be operational.
Continue driving with added caution.
Have the system checked at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center as soon
as possible.
Failure to follow these instructions increases
the risk of an accident.
In addition, the yellow ESP® warning
lampv comes on.
The ESP
® or the ESP® display is
malfunctioning.
Continue driving with added caution.
Have the system checked at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center as soon
as possible.
Failure to follow these instructions increases
the risk of an accident.
In addition, the yellow ESP® warning
lampv comes on.
The ESP
® is deactivated because of
a malfunction or interrupted power
supply.
Continue driving with added caution.
Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Light
Truck Center as soon as possible.
Failure to follow these instructions increases
the risk of an accident.
Page 420 of 561

419 Practical hints
What to do if …
Display messagePossible cause/consequencePossible solution
ESPUnavailable
See Operator’s ManualThe ESP® was deactivated because
of insufficient power supply. The
charging voltage has fallen below
10 volts.
The brake system is still functioning
normally but without the ESP
®
available.
When the voltage is above this value again, the
ESP® is operational again and the message in
the multifunction display should disappear.
If the message in the multifunction display does
not disappear:
Have the generator (alternator) and the
battery checked.
Have the system checked at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center as soon
as possible.
If the yellow ESP® warning
lampv flashes while driving and
this message appears, the 4-ETS has
switched off to prevent overheating
of the drive wheel brakes.As soon as the brakes have cooled off, the
4-ETS switches on again.
The message in the multifunction display disap-
pears and the ESP
® warning lampv goes
out.
The self-diagnosis has not been
completed yet.The display will clear after driving a short
distance at a vehicle speed of above
12 mph (20 km/h).