battery charge MERCEDES-BENZ ML350 2006 W163 Owner's Manual

35 Getting started
Unlocking
SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO*
Vehicles equipped with the KEYLESS-GO
feature are supplied with a SmartKey with
integrated KEYLESS-GO function and a
removable KEYLESS-GO start/stop
button.With the KEYLESS-GO start/stop button
inserted and the SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO present in the vehicle, press-
ing the KEYLESS-GO start/stop button


without the brake pedal depressed cor-
responds to the various starter switch
positions (
page 36)


with the brake pedal firmly depressed
will start the engine (
page 49)
If you wish or should there be a need to
insert the SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO in
the starter switch, the start/stop button
can be easily removed by pulling it out of
the starter switch.
!If the SmartKey cannot be turned in the
starter switch, the battery may not be
sufficiently charged.

Check the battery and charge it if
necessary (
page 440).


Get a jump start (
page 470).
To prevent accelerated battery dis-
charge or a completely discharged bat-
tery, always remove the SmartKey from
the starter switch when the engine is
not in operation.
iIf you firmly depress the brake pedal
while pressing the KEYLESS-GO
start/stop button, the engine starts
automatically.
iThe KEYLESS-GO start/stop button
does not need to be removed from the
starter switch when you leave the vehi-
cle. However, always take the
SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO with you
when you leave the vehicle. As long as
the SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO is in
your vehicle, the vehicle’s electrical
systems can be switched on or the
engine can be started using the
KEYLESS-GO start/stop button.Warning!
G
When leaving the vehicle, always take the
SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO with you and
lock the vehicle. Do not leave children unat-
tended in the vehicle, or with access to an
unlocked vehicle. Unsupervised use of vehi-
cle equipment may cause an accident
and/or serious personal injury.

100 Safety and SecurityAnti-theft systemsImmobilizer
The immobilizer prevents unauthorized
persons from starting your vehicle.
Activating
With the SmartKey
Remove the SmartKey from the starter
switch.
With KEYLESS-GO*

Press the start/stop button on the
starter switch once.
The engine is turned off.

Open the driver’s door.Deactivating
With the SmartKey

Turn the SmartKey in the starter switch
to position2 (
page 34).
With KEYLESS-GO*

Switch on the ignition (
page 34).
Anti-theft alarm system
Once the alarm system has been armed, a
visual and audible alarm is triggered when
someone opens

a door


the tailgate


the hood
The alarm will stay on, even if the activat-
ing element (a door, for example) is imme-
diately closed.
The alarm system will also be triggered
when someone attempts to raise the vehi-
cle, see “Tow-away alarm” (
page 102).
iStarting the engine will also deactivate
the immobilizer.
In case the engine cannot be started
(yet the vehicle’s battery is charged),
the system is not operational. Contact
an authorized Mercedes-Benz Light
Truck Center or call
1-800-FOR-MERCedes (in the USA), or
1-800-387-0100 (in Canada).
iIf the alarm stays on for more than
30 seconds, a call to the Response
Center is initiated automatically by the
Tele Aid* system (
page 280) provid-
ed Tele Aid service was subscribed to
and properly activated, and that neces-
sary cellular service and GPS coverage
are available.

109 Controls in detail
Locking and unlocking
Restoring to factory setting
Press and hold buttonsŒ and‹
simultaneously for about six seconds
until battery check lamp5 flashes
twice.Checking the batteries

Press button‹orŒ.
Battery check lamp5 comes on
briefly to indicate that the SmartKey
batteries are in order.Unlocking and opening the tailgate
(Vehicles with tailgate opening/closing
system*)
You can unlock and open the tailgate sep-
arately.
A minimum height clearance of 7 ft
(2.15 m) is required to open the tailgate.

Press and hold buttonŠ on the
SmartKey until the tailgate unlocks and
begins to open.
!If you cannot lock or unlock the vehicle
with the SmartKey, then either the bat-
teries in the SmartKey are discharged,
the SmartKey is malfunctioning or the
vehicle battery is drained.

Check the batteries in the
SmartKey and replace them if
necessary (
page 440).


Use the mechanical key to unlock
the driver’s door (
page 436).


Use the mechanical key to lock the
driver’s door (
page 436).


Have the vehicle battery and the
battery connections checked.
If the SmartKey is malfunctioning, con-
tact an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Light Truck Center.
iIf battery check lamp5 does not
come on briefly during check, then the
SmartKey batteries are discharged.
Replace the batteries (
page 440).
You can obtain the required batteries
at any authorized Mercedes-Benz Light
Truck Center.
iIf the batteries are checked within
signal range of the vehicle, pressing the
button‹orŒ will lock or un-
lock the vehicle accordingly.
!The tailgate swings open upwards auto-
matically. Always make sure there is
sufficient overhead clearance.
To stop the opening procedure, press
buttonŠ on the SmartKey. The tail-
gate stops moving.iIf the vehicle was previously centrally
locked, the tailgate will lock automati-
cally when closed. The turn signals will
flash three times to confirm locking.

114 Controls in detailLocking and unlockingSelective setting
If you frequently travel alone, you may wish
to reprogram the SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO so when you grasp the driv-
er’s door handle only the driver’s door and
the fuel filler flap unlocks.
Press and hold buttonsŒ and‹
simultaneously for about five seconds
until battery check lamp5
(page 110) flashes twice.
The SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO will
then function as follows:
Unlocking driver’s door and fuel filler
flap

Grasp the driver’s outside door handle.
All turn signal lamps flash once. The
locking knob in the driver’s door moves
up. The anti-theft alarm system is dis-
armed.Global unlocking

Grasp any outside door handle other
than the driver’s outside door handle.
All turn signal lamps flash once. The
locking knobs in the doors move up.
The anti-theft alarm system is dis-
armed.
Global locking

Press lock button on an outside door
handle (
page 64).
All turn signal lamps flash three times.
The locking knobs in the doors move
down. The anti-theft alarm system is
armed.Restoring to factory setting

Press and hold buttonsŒ and‹
simultaneously for about five seconds
until battery check lamp5
(page 110) flashes twice.
!If you can no longer lock or unlock the
vehicle with the SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO, then the batteries in the
SmartKey are discharged, the
SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO is mal-
functioning or the vehicle battery is
drained.

Check the batteries in the
SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO
(page 115) and replace them if
necessary (
page 440).


Use the mechanical key to unlock
the driver’ door (
page 436).

115 Controls in detail
Locking and unlocking
Checking the batteries
Press button‹orŒ.
Battery check lamp5 comes on brief-
ly to indicate that the SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO batteries are in order.
Unlocking and opening the tailgate
You can unlock and open the tailgate sep-
arately.
A minimum height clearance of 7 ft
(2.15 m) is required to open the tailgate.The handle is located above the rear
license plate recess.

Pull on the handle
or
Vehicles with tailgate opening/closing
system*:

Press and hold buttonŠ on the
SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO until the
tailgate unlocks and opens.


Have the vehicle battery and the
battery connections checked
(page 462).


Use the mechanical key to lock the
doors (
page 436).
If the SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO is
malfunctioning, contact an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center.
iIf battery check lamp5 (
page 110)
does not come on briefly during check,
then the SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO
batteries are discharged.
Replace the batteries (
page 440).
You can obtain the required batteries
at any authorized Mercedes-Benz Light
Truck Center.
iIf the batteries are checked within sig-
nal range of the vehicle, pressing the
button‹orŒ will lock or un-
lock the vehicle accordingly.

237 Controls in detail
Power tilt/sliding sunroof*
Opening and closing the power
tilt/sliding sunroof
To open, close, raise, or lower the
tilt/sliding sunroof, move the sunroof
switch to the resistance point in the
required direction of arrows1to4.
Release the sunroof switch when the
tilt/sliding sunroof has reached the de-
sired position.
Fully opening (Express-open) and
closing (Express-close) the power
tilt/sliding sunroof

To open or close the tilt/sliding sun-
roof, move the sunroof switch past the
resistance point in the direction of
arrow1to2 and release.
The tilt/sliding sunroof opens or closes
completely.Stopping the power tilt/sliding sunroof
during Express-open

Move the sunroof switch in any direc-
tion.
The movement of the tilt/sliding sun-
roof stops.
Synchronizing the power tilt/sliding
sunroof
The tilt/sliding sunroof must be
synchronized each time

after the battery has been
disconnected or discharged


after the tilt/sliding sunroof has been
closed manually (
page 439)


after a malfunction


the tilt/sliding sunroof does not open
smoothly

Switch on the ignition (
page 34).

Press and hold the sunroof switch in
the direction of arrow1 (
page 235)
until the tilt/sliding sunroof is fully
raised at the rear.
Keep holding the sunroof switch in the
direction of arrow1 for approximately
one second.

Check the Express-open feature
(page 237).
If the tilt/sliding sunroof opens
completely, the tilt/sliding sunroof is
synchronized. Otherwise repeat the
above steps.
iIf the movement of the tilt/sliding sun-
roof is blocked during the closing pro-
cedure, the tilt/sliding sunroof will
stop and reopen slightly.

277 Controls in detail
Useful features
Cigarette lighter*
1Cigarette lighter
Switch on the ignition (
page 34).

Open the ashtray (
page 275).

Push in cigarette lighter1.
The cigarette lighter will pop out auto-
matically when hot.
12-V sockets
Power outlets are located in the front pas-
senger footwell, the rear passenger foot-
well, and the right-hand side of the cargo
compartment.
Switch on the ignition (
page 34).
Warning!
G
Never touch the heating element or sides of
the cigarette lighter; they are extremely hot.
Hold the knob only.
When leaving the vehicle always remove the
SmartKey or SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO*
from the starter switch, take it with you, and
lock the vehicle. Do not leave children unat-
tended in the vehicle, or with access to an
unlocked vehicle. Unsupervised use of vehi-
cle equipment may cause an accident
and/or serious personal injury.iThe cigarette lighter socket can be
used to accommodate electrical acces-
sories up to a maximum of 180 W.
If the engine is off, and the cigarette
lighter is being used extensively, the
vehicle battery may become
discharged.
iThe power outlets can be used to
accommodate electrical consumers
(e.g. air pump, auxiliary lamps) up to a
maximum of 240 W.
If the engine is off, the battery may be-
come discharged if used for long peri-
ods of time.

281 Controls in detail
Useful features
The Tele Aid system
(Tele
matic A
larm I
dentification on
D
emand)
The Tele Aid system consists of three
types of response:

automatic and manual emergency


roadside assistance


information
The Tele Aid system is operational provid-
ing that the vehicle’s battery is charged,
properly connected, not damaged and cel-
lular and GPS coverage is available.
The speaker volume of a Tele Aid call can
be adjusted when using the volume control
on the Modular COMAND System or on the
multifunction steering wheel. To raise, turn
the rotary volume control on Modular
COMAND System clockwise or press
buttonæ on the multifunction steering
wheel. To lower, turn the rotary volume
control on Modular COMAND System con-trol counterclockwise or press
buttonç on the multifunction steering
wheel.

To activate, press the SOS button, the
Roadside Assistance button• or
the Information button¡, depend-
ing on the type of response required.iThe SOS button is located in the over-
head control panel.
The Roadside Assistance button•
and the Information button¡ are
located below the center armrest
cover.!The Tele Aid system utilizes the cellular
network for communication and the
GPS (G
lobal P
ositioning S
ystem) satel-
lites for vehicle location. If either of
these signals are unavailable, the
Tele Aid system may not function and if
this occurs, assistance must be sum-
moned by other means.
iWhen a Tele Aid call has been initiated,
the Modular COMAND System audio is
muted and the selected mode (radio,
CD etc.) pauses. The optional cellular
phone (if installed) inserted in cradle
switches off. If you must use this
phone, we recommend that you use it
only with the vehicle at a standstill in a
safe location. Remove the phone from
the cradle and place the call. The navi-
gation* system (if engaged) will contin-
ue to run. The display in the instrument
cluster is available for use, and spoken
commands are only available by press-
ing the RPT button on the Modular
COMAND System. A pop-up window
will appear in the Modular COMAND
System display to indicate that a Tele
Aid call is in progress. After the TeleAid
call has ended, the optional cellular
phone inserted in the cradle switches
on again. A PIN entry might be neces-
sary.

369 Operation
Winter driving
Winter driving
Before the onset of winter, have your
vehicle winterized at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center. This
service includes:

Check of anticorrosion and antifreeze
concentration.


Addition of cleaning concentrate to the
water of the windshield and headlamp
cleaning system. Add MB Concentrate
“S” to a premixed windshield washer
solvent/antifreeze which is formulated
for below freezing temperatures
(page 500).


Battery test. Battery capacity drops
with decreasing ambient temperature.
A well charged battery helps to make
sure that the engine can be started
even at low ambient temperatures.


Tire change. Mercedes-Benz recom-
mends M+S rated radial-ply tires with a
minimum tread depth of approximately 1/6in (4 mm) on all four wheels for the
winter season.
Winter tires
Always use winter tires at temperatures
below 45°F (7°C) and whenever wintry
road conditions prevail. Not all M+S rated
tires provide special winter performance.
Make sure the tires you use show the
mountain/snowflake.marking on the
tire sidewall. These tires meet specific
snow traction performance requirements
of the Rubber Manufacturers Association
(RMA) and The Rubber Association of Can-
ada (RAC) and have been designed specif-
ically for use in snow conditions. Use of
winter tires is the only way to achieve the
maximum effectiveness of the ABS, ESP
®
and SBC in winter operation.
For safe handling, make sure all mounted
winter tires are of the same make and have
the same tread design.Always observe the speed rating of the
winter tires installed on your vehicle. If the
maximum speed for which your tires are
rated is below the speed rating of your
vehicle, you must place a notice to this
effect where it will be seen by the driver.
Such notices are available from your tire
dealer or from any authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center.
Warning!
G
Winter tires with a tread depth under
1/6in
(4 mm) must be replaced. They are no long-
er suitable for winter operation.

382 Practical hintsWhat to do if …Lamps in instrument clusterGeneral information:
If any of the following lamps in the instru-
ment cluster fails to come on during thebulb self-check when switching on the igni-
tion, have the respective bulb checked and
replaced if necessary.Problem
Possible cause
Suggested solution
-
The yellow ABS indicator lamp
comes on while the engine is
running.
ABS has detected a malfunction and has
switched off. The BAS, ESP
®, and 4-ETS are
also switched off (see messages in multifunc-
tion display).
The brake system is still functioning normally
but without the ABS available.
If the ABS control unit is malfunctioning,
other systems such as the navigation
system* or the automatic transmission may
also be malfunctioning.

Continue driving with added caution.
Wheels may lock during hard braking,
reducing steering capability.

Read and observe messages in the
multifunction display (
page 395).

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.
The charging voltage has fallen below
ten volts. The ABS has switched off.
The battery might not be charged sufficiently.

Switch off electrical consumers that
are currently not needed, e.g. seat
heating*.

If necessary, have the generator
(alternator) and the battery checked.
When the voltage is above this value
again, the ABS is operational again.