steering MERCEDES-BENZ ML550 2008 W164 Owner's Manual

Contents
Introduction.......................................... 9
Product information ................................ 9
Operator’s Manual ............................... 10
Service and warranty information .. 10
Important notice for California
retail buyers and lessees of
Mercedes-Benz automobiles .......... 11
Maintenance .................................. 12
Roadside Assistance ...................... 12
Change of address or ownership.... 13
Operating your vehicle
outside the USA or Canada ............ 13
Where to find it .................................... 15
Symbols ............................................... 16
Operating safety .................................. 17
Proper use of the vehicle ............... 17
Problems with your vehicle .................. 18
Reporting safety defects...................... 19
Reporting safety defects ................ 19
Vehicle data recording ......................... 20
Information regarding electronic
recording devices ........................... 20At a glance.......................................... 21
Exterior view ......................................... 22
Cockpit ................................................. 24
Instrument cluster ................................ 26
Instrument cluster ................................ 28
Multifunction steering wheel ................ 30
Center console ..................................... 31
Upper part ...................................... 31
Lower part ...................................... 32
Overhead control panel ........................ 33
Storage compartments ......................... 34
Door control panel................................ 36Getting started................................... 37
Unlocking ............................................. 38
Unlocking with the SmartKey ......... 38
Unlocking with KEYLESS-GO*......... 39
Starter switch positions .................. 39
Adjusting .............................................. 43
Seats .............................................. 43
Steering wheel ................................ 46
Mirrors ............................................ 49
Driving .................................................. 51
Fastening the seat belts ................. 51
Starting the engine ......................... 54
Parking brake ................................. 57
Driving off ....................................... 58
Switching on headlamps ................. 59
Turn signals .................................... 60
Windshield wipers ........................... 60
Rear window wiper/washer ............ 62
Problems while driving.................... 63
Parking and locking .............................. 65
Parking brake ................................. 65
Switching off headlamps................. 66
Turning off the engine..................... 66
Releasing seat belts........................ 68
Locking ........................................... 68

Contents
Control system .................................. 147
Multifunction display .................... 147
Multifunction steering wheel ........ 148
Menus .......................................... 150
Standard display menu ................ 154
AMG menu ................................... 156
Off-road Mode menu .................... 159
AUDIO menu ................................ 160
NAV* menu .................................. 161
AIRMATIC*/Compass menu ........ 162
Vehicle status message
memory menu .............................. 162
Settings menu .............................. 163
Vehicle configuration ................... 177
Trip computer menu..................... 178
TEL* menu ................................... 180
Automatic transmission ..................... 183
Gear selector lever ....................... 183
Shifting procedure ....................... 186
Transmission positions................. 187
Driving tips ................................... 190
Gear ranges ................................. 192
Steering wheel gearshift control .. 193
Shift program (ML 63 AMG only).. 194
Emergency operation
(Limp-Home Mode) ...................... 197Transfer case ...................................... 198
Good visibility ..................................... 199
Headlamp cleaning system* ......... 199
Rear view mirrors .......................... 199
Power folding exterior
rear view mirrors* ......................... 200
Sun visors ..................................... 201
Rear window defroster .................. 203
Climate control ................................... 204
Deactivating the
climate control system ................. 208
Operating the climate control
system in automatic mode............ 208
Setting the temperature................ 209
Adjusting air distribution............... 209
Adjusting air volume ..................... 210
Front defroster.............................. 210
Air recirculation mode .................. 212
Air conditioning............................. 214
Residual heat and ventilation ........ 215
Rear climate control*.................... 2163-zone automatic climate control* ..... 218
Deactivating the
automatic climate
control system .............................. 222
Operating the automatic
climate control system
in automatic mode ........................ 223
Setting the temperature ............... 223
Adjusting air distribution .............. 224
Adjusting air volume ..................... 225
Front defroster ............................. 225
Maximum cooling MAXCOOL ........ 226
Air recirculation mode .................. 227
Air conditioning ............................ 229
Using driver-side settings
for all temperature zones.............. 229
Residual heat and ventilation........ 230
Rear automatic climate control..... 231
Power windows .................................. 235
Door windows ............................... 236
Synchronizing the door windows .. 237
Summer opening feature .............. 237
Convenience closing feature......... 238
Power tilt/sliding sunroof .................. 240
Opening and closing ..................... 240
Synchronizing ............................... 242

Contents
Driving systems ................................. 244
Cruise control............................... 244
Downhill Speed Regulation
(DSR) ............................................ 249
Off-road driving program .............. 253
Air suspension program* ............. 254
Adaptive Damping System
(ADS)* .......................................... 255
Vehicle level control* ................... 255
Parktronic system* ...................... 259
Rear view camera* ....................... 264
Loading .............................................. 266
Carriers* ...................................... 266
Loading instructions ..................... 266
Cargo tie-down rings .................... 268
Hooks ........................................... 269
Expanding cargo compartment .... 269
Cargo compartment cover blind ... 271
Cargo net* ................................... 272
Cargo management system*........ 275Useful features .................................. 279
Storage compartments ................ 279
Parcel nets ................................... 283
Cup holders.................................. 284
Ashtrays ....................................... 285
Cigarette lighter ........................... 286
Power outlets ............................... 287
Floormats ..................................... 289
Heated steering wheel* ............... 290
Telephone* .................................. 291
Tele Aid ........................................ 294
Garage door opener ..................... 302
Compass ...................................... 307
Infrared reflecting windshield* ..... 308
Operation......................................... 309
The first 1000 miles (1500 km) ......... 310
Driving instructions ........................... 311
Drive sensibly – save fuel............. 311
Drinking and driving ..................... 311
Pedals .......................................... 311
Power assistance ......................... 312
Brakes.......................................... 312
Driving off .................................... 315
Parking......................................... 315
Tires ............................................. 315
Hydroplaning................................ 316
Tire traction ................................. 316
Tire speed rating .......................... 317
Winter driving instructions ........... 318
Standing water............................. 319
Off-road driving ............................ 319
Trailer towing ............................... 328
Passenger compartment .............. 334
Driving abroad ............................. 334
Control and operation of radio
transmitters ................................. 334
Catalytic converter
(gasoline engine).......................... 335

21 At a glance
Exterior view
Cockpit
Instrument cluster
Multifunction steering wheel
Center console
Overhead control panel
Storage compartments
Door control panel

25 At a glance
Cockpit
ItemPage
1Cruise control lever245
2Instrument cluster26
3Multifunction steering
wheel30
4Horn
5Steering wheel gearshift
buttons193
6Gear selector lever for
automatic transmission54
7Front Parktronic* warning
indicators262
8Overhead control panel33
9Glove box release
Glove box lock279
280
ItemPage
aGlove box279
CD changer*279
AUX-socket1279
bPower outlet288
cCenter console31
dStarter switch40
eSteering wheel adjustment,
manual47
fHood lock release341
gParking brake release57
hParking brake pedal65
jPower tailgate switch*121
1Depending on vehicle configuration.
ItemPage
kDoor control panel36
lExterior lamp switch59,
135
mSteering wheel adjustment,
electrical*
Heated steering wheel*48
290
nCombination switch

High beam

Turn signals

Windshield wipers

Rear window wiper
139
59
60
60
62

30 At a glance
Multifunction steering wheel
ItemPage
1Multifunction display147
Operating the control
system148
2Telephone*:
Press button
sto take a call
to dial
to redial
tto end a call
to reject an
incoming call
3Selecting the submenu or
setting the volume:
Press button
æup/to increase
çdown/to decrease
ItemPage
4! Voice Control
System* on1, see separate
operating instructions
5Moving within a menu:
Press button
jfor next display
kfor previous display
60 Voice Control
System* off1, see separate
operating instructions
7Menu systems:
Press button
èfor next menu
ÿfor previous menu
1Vehicles without Voice Control System*: Button
without function.

43 Getting started
Adjusting
Adjusting
Seats
Warning!G
All seat, head restraint, steering wheel, and
rear view mirror adjustments, as well as fas-
tening of seat belts, must be done before
the vehicle is put into motion.
Warning!G
Do not adjust the driver’s seat while driving.
Adjusting the seat while driving could cause
the driver to lose control of the vehicle.
Never ride in a moving vehicle with the seat
backrest in an excessively reclined position
as this can be dangerous. You could slide
under the seat belt in a collision. If you slide
under it, the belt would apply force at the ab-
domen or neck. That could cause serious or
fatal injuries. The seat backrest and seat
belts provide the best restraint when the
wearer is in a position that is as upright as
possible and belts are properly positioned
on the body.
Warning!G
Your seat must be adjusted so that you can
correctly fasten your seat belt (
page 51).
Observe the following points:

Adjust the backrest until your arms are
slightly angled when holding the steer-
ing wheel

Adjust the seat to a comfortable seating
position that still allows you to reach the
accelerator/brake pedal safely. The po-
sition should be as far back as possible
with the driver still able to operate the
controls properly.

Adjust the head restraint so that it is as
close to the head as possible and the
center of the head restraint supports the
back of the head at eye level.

Never place hands under the seat or
near any moving parts while a seat is be-
ing adjusted.
Failure to do so could result in an accident
and/or serious personal injury.
Warning!G
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.
Even with the SmartKey or the SmartKey
with KEYLESS-GO* removed from the
starter switch or the SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO* removed from the vehicle,
the power seats can be operated.
Therefore, do not leave children unattended
in the vehicle, or with access to an unlocked
vehicle. A child’s unsupervised access to a
vehicle could result in an accident and/or
serious personal injury.

45 Getting started
Adjusting
Seat fore and aft adjustment
Press the switch forward or backward
in direction of arrow5.
Seat height
Press the switch up or down in
direction of arrow3.
Seat cushion tilt
Press the switch up or down in
direction of arrow2 until your upper
legs are lightly supported.
Seat backrest tilt
Press the switch forward or backward
in direction of arrow4.Head restraint height
Vehicles with memory function*:
Press switch1 (page 44) up or
down in direction of arrow.
Vehicles without memory function*:
1Head restraint
2Release button
iThe memory function* (page 133) lets
you store the settings for the seat positions
together with the settings for the steering wheel
and the exterior rear view mirrors.
Warning!G
Do not drive the vehicle without the seat
head restraints. Head restraints are intend-
ed to help reduce injuries during an
accident.
With a rear seat occupied, make sure to
move the respective head restraint up from
the lowest non-use position and have the
occupant adjust the head restraint properly.
For your protection, drive only with properly
positioned and engaged head restraints.
Adjust the head restraint so that it is as
close to the head as possible and the center
of the head restraint supports the back of
the head at eye level. This will reduce the po-
tential for injury to the head and neck in the
event of an accident or similar situation.
!Do not attempt to remove front seat head
restraints. They can only be removed by qualified
technicians. We recommend that you have this
work carried out by an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center.

46 Getting started
Adjusting
Raising:
Manually adjust the height of head
restraint1 by pulling it upward.
If head restraint1 is fully retracted,
push release button2 in direction of
arrow and pull head restraint1 up-
ward.
Lowering:
To lower head restraint1, push
release button2 in direction of arrow
and press down on head restraint1.Head restraint fore and aft adjustment
Manually adjust the angle of the head
restraint.
While seated, reach behind you with
both hands and find lower edge of the
head restraint.
Adjust the head restraint to the desired
position by pushing or pulling on the
lower edge of the head restraint cush-
ion.
For more information, see “Seats”
(
page 127).
Steering wheel
Easy-entry/exit feature*
This feature allows for easier entry into and
exit from the vehicle. When entering and
exiting the vehicle, the steering wheel is in
its uppermost position.
The easy-entry/exit feature can be
activated or deactivated in the
Comfort
submenu of the control system
(
page 176).
Warning!G
You must make sure no one can become
trapped or injured by the moving steering
wheel when the easy-entry/exit feature is
activated.
To stop steering wheel movement, do one of
the following:

Move steering wheel adjustment stalk*
(
page 49).

47 Getting started
Adjusting
With the easy-entry/exit feature activated,
the steering wheel will return to its last set
position when you

close the driver’s door with the ignition
switched on
or

insert the SmartKey into the starter
switch or press the KEYLESS-GO*
start/stop button (
page 41) once
with the driver’s door closedWith the easy-entry/exit feature activated,
the steering wheel tilts upwards when you

remove the SmartKey from the starter
switch
or

open the driver’s door with the
SmartKey in starter switch position0
or1 or the KEYLESS-GO* start/stop
button in position1 (
page 41)Steering wheel adjustment, manual

Press one of the stored position
buttons* or memory buttonM*
(
page 133).
Do not leave children unattended in the ve-
hicle, or with access to an unlocked vehicle.
Children could open the driver’s door and
unintentionally activate the easy-entry/exit
feature, which could result in an accident
and/or serious personal injury.
iThe last set steering wheel position is stored
when

the ignition is switched off (page 39)

the position is stored in memory
(
page 133)
iIf the current position for the steering wheel
is in the uppermost tilt position, the steering
wheel will no longer be able to move upward
when the easy-entry/exit feature is activated.
The adjustment procedure is briefly interrupted,
when the engine is started.
Warning!G
Let the system complete the adjustment
procedure before setting the vehicle in mo-
tion. All steering wheel adjustment must be
completed before setting the vehicle in mo-
tion. Driving off with the steering wheel still
adjusting could cause the driver to lose con-
trol of the vehicle.
Warning!G
Only adjust the steering wheel with the vehi-
cle at a standstill and make sure the steer-
ing wheel is securely locked in place before
driving off.