window 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
Safety and Security........................... 71
Occupant safety................................... 72
Air bags .......................................... 74
Occupant Classification System ..... 79
Seat belts ....................................... 84
Active head restraint ...................... 88
Rear head restraints ....................... 89
Children in the vehicle .................... 89
Blocking of rear door
window operation ........................... 96
Panic alarm .......................................... 97
Activating ....................................... 97
Deactivating ................................... 97
Driving safety systems ......................... 98
ABS ................................................ 98
BAS .............................................. 100
ESP
®............................................. 100
EBP............................................... 104
4-ETS ............................................ 104
Anti-theft systems.............................. 106
Immobilizer................................... 106
Anti-theft alarm system ................ 106
Controls in detail ............................. 109
Locking and unlocking ....................... 110
SmartKey ..................................... 110
SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO* ...... 113
Checking the batteries in the
SmartKey or SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO* .............................. 118
Loss of the SmartKey or
SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO* ...... 118
Opening the doors
from the inside ............................. 118
Tailgate/Power tailgate*.............. 119
Automatic central locking ............ 125
Locking and unlocking
from the inside ............................. 126
Seats ................................................. 127
Front seat active head restraints . 127
Rear seat head restraints ............. 127
Lumbar support............................ 129
Multicontour seat* ....................... 129
Seat heating* ............................... 130
Seat ventilation* .......................... 131Memory function* ............................. 133
Storing positions into memory ..... 134
Recalling positions from memory. 134
Lighting ............................................. 135
Exterior lamp switch .................... 135
Combination switch ..................... 139
Corner-illuminating
front fog lamps*........................... 140
Hazard warning flasher ................ 141
Interior lighting ............................ 142
Door entry lamps ......................... 144
Cargo compartment lamp ............ 144
Instrument cluster ............................. 145
Adjusting instrument
cluster illumination ...................... 145
Resetting trip odometer ............... 146
Tachometer.................................. 146
Outside temperature indicator ..... 146

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
Oxidation catalyst
(diesel engine).............................. 335
Emission control .......................... 335
Coolant temperature .................... 336
At the gas station .............................. 337
Refueling ...................................... 337
Check regularly and
before a long trip.......................... 339
Engine compartment ......................... 341
Hood ............................................ 341
Engine oil ..................................... 343
Transmission fluid level ................ 345
Coolant level ................................ 345
Windshield/rear window
washer system and
headlamp cleaning system* ........ 346
Tires and wheels ................................ 348
Important guidelines .................... 348
Tire care and maintenance........... 349
Direction of rotation ..................... 351
Loading the vehicle ...................... 351
Recommended tire
inflation pressure ......................... 357
Checking tire inflation pressure ... 359
Tire labeling.................................. 370
Load identification ....................... 374DOT, Tire Identification Number
(TIN) .............................................. 374
Maximum tire load ........................ 376
Maximum tire inflation pressure ... 376
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Standards (U.S. vehicles) .............. 377
Tire ply material ............................ 379
Tire and loading terminology......... 379
Rotating tires ................................ 382
Winter driving ..................................... 384
Winter tires ................................... 384
Block heater (Canada only) ........... 385
Snow chains.................................. 385
Maintenance....................................... 386
Maintenance service indicator
message ....................................... 386
Calling up the maintenance
service indicator display ............... 388
Resetting the maintenance
service indicator ........................... 388
Vehicle care........................................ 389
Cleaning and care of the vehicle ... 389
Practical hints.................................. 399
What to do if … ................................... 400
Lamps in instrument cluster ......... 400
Lamp in center console ................ 411
Vehicle status messages in the
multifunction display .................... 413
Where will I find ...? ............................ 448
First aid kit.................................... 448
Vehicle tool kit.............................. 448
Minispare wheel
(except ML 63 AMG) ..................... 452
Collapsible tire
(ML 63 AMG only) ......................... 453
Unlocking/locking in an emergency .. 455
Unlocking the vehicle ................... 455
Locking the vehicle ....................... 456
Unlocking and opening
the tailgate ................................... 456
Fuel filler flap ................................ 457
Resetting activated head restraints.... 458
Vehicles without Rear seat
entertainment system*................. 458
Vehicles with Rear seat
entertainment system*................. 459
Replacing SmartKey batteries ............ 461

23 At a glance
Exterior view
ItemPage
1Tailgate119
Power tailgate*119
Cargo compartment

Loading instructions266

Cargo tie-down rings268

Hooks269

Expanding269

Cover blind271

Cargo net*272
Vehicle tool kit448
Spare wheel452
2Rear window defroster206
3Rear lamps464
4Fuel filler flap337
Refueling337
Fuel338,
526
ItemPage
5Exterior rear view mirrors
Adjusting49
Auto-dimming rear view
mirrors*199
Power folding*200
6Towing eye bolt499
Installing towing eye bolt501
7Tires and wheels348,
515
Checking tire inflation
pressure359
General information348
Flat tire478
Spare wheel452
8Hood341
Opening341
Engine oil343
Coolant345
ItemPage
9Windshield wipers60
Wiper blades, replacing475
Wiper blades, cleaning395
aWindshield
Cleaning with wiper fluid62
Cleaning395
bRoof rails266
Carriers*266
cPower tilt/sliding sunroof240
dDoors
Locking and unlocking110
Opening118
Unlocking/locking in an
emergency455
eFront lamps464
fHeadlamp cleaning system*199

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

29 At a glance
Instrument cluster
ItemPage
8Multifunction display with:

Trip odometer146

Main odometer147
9Tachometer with:
406
qPreglow indicator
lamp1
1Vehicles with Diesel engine only.
55
1Supplemental
Restraint System
(SRS) indicator lamp72,
410
?Engine malfunction
indicator lamp,
USA only403
±Engine malfunction
indicator lamp,
Canada only403
AHigh beam headlamp
indicator59,
139
ItemPage
aFuel gauge with:
Fuel tank reserve warning
lamp410
4Fuel filler flap indica-
tor: The fuel filler flap
is located on the rear
right-hand side.337
bMultifunction display
with:

Outside temperature
indicator or digital speed-
ometer (depending on
selected setting in the
control system)147,
168

Transmission position
indicator187

Gear range indicator192

Selected program mode
indicator1195
1AMG vehicles only.
ItemPage

Downhill Speed Regula-
tion (DSR) indicator251

Off-road driving program
indicator253

Rear window wiper
indicator62

Set speed for cruise
control246

31 At a glance
Center console
Center console
Upper partItemPage
1COMAND system, see sepa-
rate operating instructions
2Climate control204
3-zone automatic climate
control*218
Rear window defroster203
3Seat heating*,
front passenger side130
4Seat ventilation*,
front passenger side131
5Parktronic system*
deactivation switch259
6Vehicle level control
switch*257
7Front passenger front air
bag off indicator lamp83,
411,
412
ItemPage
8Storage compartment1281
9Alarm system indicator
lamp107
aElectronic Stability Program
(ESP®) switch
102
bAdaptive damping system
(ADS)* switch255
cSeat ventilation*,
driver’s side131
dSeat heating*, driver’s side130
eSwitch for Downhill Speed
Regulation (DSR)250
fHazard warning flasher141
gSwitch for Off-road driving
program
ML 63 AMG:
Program mode selector
switch for automatic trans-
mission253
194
1Depending on vehicle configuration.

36 At a glance
Door control panel
ItemPage
1Inside door handle118
2Central unlocking switch
Central locking switch126
126
3Exterior rear view mirror
adjustment49
4Selection buttons for exteri-
or rear view mirror adjust-
ment
Power-folding exterior rear
view mirrors*49
200
5Switches for opening/clos-
ing front and rear door
windows235
6Rear door window override
switch96
7Remote tailgate release
switch, power tailgate*121,
119

61 Getting started
Driving
Switching on windshield wipers
Turn the combination switch to the
desired position depending on the
intensity of the rain.
MWindshield wipers off
USlow intermittent wiping
Rain sensor operation with low
sensitivity.
VFast intermittent wiping
Rain sensor operation with high
sensitivity.
uSlow continuous wiping
tFast continuous wipingIntermittent wiping
Only switch on intermittent wiping under
wet weather conditions or in the presence
of precipitation.
When you select intermittent wiping, the
rain sensor is activated. The rain sensor
automatically sets a suitable wiping
interval depending on the wetness of the
sensor surface.
Turn the combination switch to
positionU orV.After the initial wipe, pauses between
wipes are automatically controlled by the
rain sensor.
Single wipe
Press the combination switch briefly in
direction of arrow1 to the resistance
point.
The windshield wipers wipe one time
without washer fluid.
If windshield wipers fail to function at all in the
combination switch positionU orV,

set the combination switch to the next
higher wiper speed

have the windshield wipers checked at the
nearest authorized Mercedes-Benz Light
Truck Center
!Do not leave windshield wipers on an inter-
mittent setting when the vehicle is taken to an
automatic car wash or during windshield clean-
ing. Wipers will operate in the presence of water
sprayed on the windshield, and windshield
wipers may be damaged as a result.
!If you have set intermittent wiping, dirt on
the surface of the rain sensor or optical effects
may cause the windshield wipers to wipe in an
undesired fashion. This could then damage the
windshield wiper blades or scratch the windows.
You should therefore switch off the windshield
wipers when weather conditions are dry.
iIntermittent wiping is interrupted when the
vehicle is at a standstill and a front door is
opened. This protects persons getting into or out
of the vehicle from being sprayed.
Intermittent wiping will be continued when all
doors are closed and

the automatic transmission is set to
positionD orR
or

the wiper setting is changed using the
combination switch