MERCEDES-BENZ ML450 HYBRID 2010 W164 Owner's Guide

The current program mode appears in the
multifunction display.
:
Program mode indicator
i The automatic program mode E, for fuel-
efficient driving, is active each time you
start the vehicle with the SmartKey or with
KEYLESS-GO.
X Press the program mode selector switch
repeatedly until the letter of the desired
program mode appears in the multifunction
display.
Selecting program mode E means:
R enabling electric driving with the hybrid
transmission whenever possible
R consumption-optimized driving
characteristics considering the individual
driving style
R maximum driving comfort by smooth gear
changes
R continuous power transmission
Selecting program mode S means:
R enabling more electric driving as it is
possible with selected program mode E
R sporty engine and transmission setting
R gear changes according to the driving style
and road conditions
R driving characteristics of a conventional
eight-speed transmission
i For more information on the automatic
transmission, refer to the Operator’s
Manual. Controls in detail
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Refueling
G
Warning!
Gasoline is highly flammable and poisonous.
It burns violently and can cause serious
personal injury.
Never allow sparks, flames or smoking
materials near gasoline!
Turn off the engine before refueling.
Whenever you are around gasoline, 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. G
Warning!
Overfilling of the fuel tank may create
pressure in the system which could cause a
gas discharge. This could cause the gas to
spray back out when removing the fuel pump
nozzle, which could cause personal injury.
! Never refuel vehicles with gasoline engine
with diesel fuel. Even small amounts of
diesel fuel will damage the fuel system and
engine. Damage resulting from the use of
non-approved fuels or fuel additives or
resulting from mixing gasoline with diesel
fuel is not covered by the Mercedes-Benz
Limited Warranty.
! If you have accidentally filled the tank
with incorrect or non-approved fuel, do not
switch on the ignition. Otherwise the
incorrect or non-approved fuel will get into
the fuel lines. The fuel system must be
drained completely. Contact an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center to have the fuel
system drained completely.
! To prevent damage to the catalytic
converters, only use premium unleaded
gasoline in this vehicle.
Any noticeable irregularities in engine
operation should be repaired promptly. Otherwise, excessive unburned fuel may
reach the catalytic converter, causing it to
overheat and potentially start a fire.
i Only use premium unleaded gasoline with
a minimum Posted Octane Rating of 91
(average of 96 RON/86 MON).
Information on gasoline quality can
normally be found on the fuel pump. Please
contact gas station personnel in case
labels on the pump cannot be found.
For more information on gasoline, see
Operator's Manual, contact an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center, or visit
www.mbusa.com (USA only).
X Bring the vehicle to a standstill.
X Engage the parking brake.
X Shift the automatic transmission into park
position P.
X Switch off the ignition.
The READY indicator (Y page 16) in the
instrument cluster goes out.
X Remove the SmartKey from the starter
switch or remove the SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO from the vehicle.
i Before refueling your vehicle its fuel tank
system needs to be depressurized. X
Press fuel filler flap switch :.
Indicator lamp ; comes on as the fuel filler
flap is unlocked. 20
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In case of a blinking indicator lamp
;,
pressure on the fuel tank system needs to be
released first.
A malfunction in the system has been
detected if
R the indicator lamp ; fails to stop blinking
after approximately 10 seconds after the
fuel filler flap switch : has been pressed
R the indicator lamp ; does not come on at
all
R the malfunction indicator lamp ! (USA
only) or ; (Canada only) comes on
The fuel filler flap is located on the right-hand
side of the vehicle towards the rear.
i In case the fuel filler flap switch does not
release the fuel filler flap, see “Opening the
fuel filler flap manually” ( Y page 31).G
Warning!
Remove fuel filler cap slowly. Fuel spray may
cause injury.
Complete refueling within 20 minutes after
opening the fuel filler flap. Otherwise fuel may
spray out and cause injury. If the refueling
process cannot be completed within
20 minutes, press the fuel filler flap switch
again.
i Leaving the combustion engine running
and the fuel filler cap open can cause the
yellow fuel tank reserve warning lamp to
flash and the malfunction indicator
lamp ! (USA only) or ; (Canada
only) to illuminate.
For more information on refueling, see
Operator's Manual. X
Opening: Pull fuel filler flap = out in
direction of arrow.
X Turn fuel filler cap ? counterclockwise.
X Take off fuel filler cap ?.
! The fuel filler cap is tethered to the fuel
filler neck. Do not drop the cap. It could
damage the vehicle paint finish.
X Set fuel filler cap ? on fuel filler flap =.
X Fully insert filler nozzle unit and refuel.
X Only fill your tank until the filler nozzle unit
cuts out – do not top off or overfill .
X Closing: Turn fuel filler cap ? until it
audibly engages.
X Close fuel filler flap =.
The fuel filler flap is locked.
The indicator lamp on the fuel filler flap
switch goes out ( Y page 20). Engine oil
The amount of oil your combustion engine
consumes will depend on a number of factors,
including driving style. Increased oil
consumption can occur when the vehicle is
new or the vehicle is driven frequently at
higher engine speeds.
Engine oil consumption checks should only
be made after the vehicle break-in period.
! Do not use any special lubricant additives,
as these may damage the drive assemblies. Operation
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Using special additives not approved by
Mercedes-Benz may cause damage not
covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty.
For further information contact an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Notes on checking engine oil level
When checking the oil level the vehicle must
be parked on level ground and the vehicle
must have been stationary for at least
5 minutes with the combustion engine turned
off. Checking engine oil level
Before opening the hood do the following:
X Engage the parking brake.
X Shift the automatic transmission into park
position P.
X Switch off the ignition.
The READY indicator (Y page 16) in the
instrument cluster goes out.
X Remove the SmartKey from the starter
switch or remove the SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO from the vehicle.
X Observe the safety notes on the danger of
electric shock in this manual.
X Open the hood, see Operator's Manual. X
Remove cover : by pulling it in direction
of arrow. X
Pull out oil dipstick ;.
X Wipe oil dipstick ; clean.
X Fully insert oil dipstick ; into the dipstick
guide tube.
X Pull out oil dipstick ; again after
approximately 3 seconds to obtain
accurate reading.
The oil level is correct when it is between
lower (min) mark ? and upper (max) mark
= of oil dipstick ;.
i The filling quantity between the upper and
lower marks on the oil dipstick is
approximately 2.1 US qt. (2.0 l).
X If necessary, add engine oil ( Y page 22).
X Install cover :.
For more information on engine oil, see
Operator's Manual. Adding engine oil 22
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X
Remove the cover (Y page 22).
X Unscrew filler cap : from filler neck.
X Add engine oil as required. Be careful not
to overfill with oil.
Be careful not to spill any oil when adding.
Avoid environmental damage caused by oil
entering the ground or water.
! Excess oil must be siphoned or drained
off. It could cause damage to the engine
and emission control system not covered
by the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
X Screw filler cap : back on filler neck.
X Install the cover ( Y page 22). Operation
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Vehicle status messages in the
multifunction display
Notes
Warning and malfunction messages appear in
the multifunction display located in the
instrument cluster.
Certain warning and malfunction messages
are accompanied by an audible signal.
Address these messages accordingly and
follow the additional instructions given in this
Supplemental Operating Instructions
Booklet.
Selecting the Vehicle status message
memory menu in the control system 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 or button &, *,
U or V on the multifunction steering
wheel.
Other messages of high priority and
messages of less immediate priority can be
cleared from the multifunction display using
the reset button or button &, *,
U or V on the multifunction steering
wheel. They are then stored in the Vehicle
status message memory menu. Remember
that clearing a message will only make the
message disappear. Clearing a message will
not correct the condition that caused the
message to appear. G
Warning!
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 Center.
Failure to repair the condition noted may
cause

damage not covered by the Mercedes-
Benz Limited Warranty, or result in property
damage or personal injury. G
Warning!
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
information about your driving conditions,
such as
R speed
R outside temperature
R warning/indicator lamps
R malfunction/warning messages
R failure of any systems
Driving characteristics may be impaired.
If

you must continue to drive, do so with added
caution. Contact an authorized Mercedes-
Benz Center as soon as possible.
On the pages that follow, you will find a
compilation of the warning and malfunction
messages specific to the HYBRID system. For
all other warning and malfunction messages,
refer to the Operator’s Manual. 24
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Text messages
Display messages
Possible causes/consequences and
X SolutionsDriving
in
Reverse
currently
not
possible Wait
briefly Driving in reverse is currently not possible. The hybrid
transmission is overheated.
X
Wait briefly.
X Depress the brake pedal.
X Release the accelerator pedal.
X The message in the multifunction disappears. Driving
in
Reverse
now
possible
again The hybrid transmission has cooled down.
X
Driving in reverse is now possible again. Depress
brake to shift
out of P. You have attempted to shift the automatic transmission into
drive
position D, reverse gear R or neutral position N without
depressing the brake pedal or without depressing it fully.
X Depress the brake pedal fully. Engine
Can Now
Be Started The high-voltage battery has been charged via the voltage
transformer automatically.
X
Start the combustion engine.
X Disconnect the charge unit or jumper cables.
X Drive the vehicle for some time in order to charge the 12-
volt battery and the high-voltage battery. Fuel
Filler
Flap Open The fuel filler flap is open.
X
Check the fuel filler flap.
X If it is not closed properly: Close the fuel filler flap.
X If it is closed properly: Have the fuel system checked by
an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center. Practical hints
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Symbol messages
Display messages
Possible causes/consequences and
X Solutionsc Charging
Hybrid
Battery
Please
Wait The high-voltage battery is discharged. You have switched on
the
ignition while the 12-volt battery was being charged with
an approved charge unit or while jump starting the vehicle.
The high-voltage battery is being charged via the voltage
transformer automatically. Depending on the state of the
high-voltage battery's discharge, the charging procedure may
take up to 60 minutes. The message Engine Can Now Be
Started appears in the multifunction display, after the
system became adequately charged to start the combustion
engine (Y page 25).
If the display message Engine Can Now Be Started does
not appear after about an hour:
X Try to start the combustion engine.
X If the combustion engine cannot be started: Contact an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center. d Malfunctio
n The HYBRID system is malfunctioning.
X
Have the system checked at an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center. d Stop car,
switch
engine
off. The HYBRID system is malfunctioning. In addition an acoustic
warning sounds.
X
Stop the vehicle in a safe location as soon as possible.
X Engage the parking brake.
X Switch off the ignition.
X Wait at least 60 seconds for the system to complete the
necessary check cycles before you start the combustion
engine again.
X If the combustion engine cannot be started again contact
an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center. c Malfunctio
n The high-voltage system is malfunctioning. In addition an
acoustic warning sounds.
X
Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center immediately. 26
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Display messages
Possible causes/consequences and
X Solutionsc Malfunctio
n Service
Required The high-voltage system is malfunctioning. In addition an
acoustic warning sounds.
X
Drive with added caution to the nearest authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
The combustion engine cannot be started again, if
R the automatic transmission is set to position neutral
position N or park position P
R the hood is opened
R the bolted cover in the trunk is removed 8 Gas Cap
Open A loss of pressure has been detected in the fuel system. The
fuel cap may not be closed properly or the fuel system may
be leaking.
X
Check the fuel cap.
X If it is not closed properly: Close the fuel cap.
X If it is closed properly: Have the fuel system checked by
an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center. D Power
Steering
Malfunctio
n
See
Operator's
Manual Power assistance for the steering system is not available. A
considerably
higher degree of effort is necessary to steer the
vehicle.
X Check whether you are capable to apply the higher degree
of effort necessary to safely steer the vehicle.
If you are able to steer the vehicle safely:
X Continue driving with added caution.
X Have the system checked at an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
If, in any way, you feel that you are not able to steer the vehicle
safely:
X Stop the vehicle in a safe location as soon as it is safe to
do so.
X Apply the parking brake.
X Do not continue to drive.
X Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center. Practical hints
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Display messages
Possible causes/consequences and
X Solutions# The 12-volt battery is no longer charging.
Possible causes:
R
voltage transformer malfunctioning
R the 12-volt battery is malfunctioning
X Stop the vehicle in a safe location or as soon as it is safe
to do so.
X Engage the parking brake.
X Do not continue to drive.
X Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center. 28
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