2008 Mercedes-benz M Class Owners Manual

until the desired channel is found.

i Additional optional satellite radio equipment and a subscription to satellite radio service pro- vider are required for satellite radio operation. Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center for details and availability for your vehicle. For more information, refer to separate COMAND system operating instructions.

Operating CD player

Selecting CD track 왘 Turn on the COMAND system and

select CD. Refer to separate COMAND system operating instructions.

왘 Press button è or ÿ repeatedly until the settings for the CD currently being played appear in the multifunc- tion display.

Selecting MP3-CD track 왘 Turn on the COMAND system and se- lect MP3. Refer to separate COMAND system operating instructions.

왘 Press button è or ÿ repeatedly

until the settings for the MP3-CD currently being played appear in the multifunction display.

1 MP3 mode 2 Current track 왘 Press button k or j repeatedly

until the desired track is selected.

1 Current CD (for CD changer*) 2 Current track 왘 Press button k or j repeatedly

until the desired track is selected.

i Vehicles with CD changer*: To select a CD from the CD changer magazine, press a number on the COMAND system key pad located in the center console.

Controls in detail Control system

NAV* menu

The NAV menu contains the functions needed to operate your navigation system. 왘 Press button è or ÿ repeatedly until the message NAV appears in the multifunction display.

The message shown in the multifunction display depends on the status of the navi- gation system: 앫 With the COMAND system switched off, the message NAV off appears in the multifunction display.

앫 With the COMAND system switched on but route guidance not activated, the direction of travel and, if applicable, the name of the street currently traveled on appear in the multifunction display. 앫 With the COMAND system switched on

and route guidance activated, the di- rection of travel and maneuver instruc- tions appear in the multifunction display.

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Please refer to the COMAND system manual for instructions on how to activate the route guidance system.

AIRMATIC*/Compass menu

The AIRMATIC/Compass menu displays the messages for air suspension* and the direction into which you are currently driving. 왘 Press button è or ÿ repeatedly until one of the following messages ap- pears in the multifunction display.

Vehicles with steel suspension:

Vehicles with air suspension* or ML 63 AMG:

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The vehicle status message memory menu only appears, if messages have been stored.

Warning!

Malfunction and warning messages are only indicated for certain systems and are inten- tionally not very detailed. The malfunction and warning messages are simply a remind- er with respect to the operation of certain systems and do not replace the owner’s and/or driver’s responsibility to maintain the vehicle’s operating safety by having all required maintenance and safety checks performed on the vehicle and by bringing the vehicle to an authorized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center to address the malfunc- tion and warning messages (컄 page 413).

왘 Press button è or ÿ repeatedly

until the vehicle status message memory appears in the multifunction display.

왘 Press button k or j repeatedly

until the desired setting is found.

For information on air suspension, see “Air suspension program*” (컄 page 254). For information on the compass, see “Vehicle submenu” (컄 page 173) and “Compass” (컄 page 307).

Vehicle status message memory menu

Use the vehicle status message memory menu to scan malfunction and warning messages that may be stored in the system. Such messages appear in the multifunction display and are based on conditions or system status the vehicle’s system has recorded.

If the vehicle status message memory menu does not appear, no messages have been stored. If conditions have occurred causing status messages to be recorded, the number of messages appears in the multifunction display:

왘 Press button k or j.

The stored messages will now be displayed in the order in which they have occurred. For malfunctions and warning messages, see “Vehicle status messages in the multifunction display” (컄 page 413).

i After you have scrolled through all recorded status messages, the first recorded message appears again.

Should the vehicle’s system record any conditions while driving, the number of messages will reappear in the multifunc- tion display 앫 when the SmartKey in the starter switch is turned to position 0 or removed from the starter switch. or

앫 when you turn off the engine by

pressing the KEYLESS-GO* start/stop button (컄 page 67) in the starter switch once and open the driver’s door (this puts the starter switch in position 0, same as with the SmartKey removed from the starter switch)

i The vehicle status message memory will be cleared when you turn the SmartKey in the start- er switch to position 1 or 2, or when you press the KEYLESS-GO* start/stop button once or twice without depressing the brake pedal. You will then only see high priority messages in the multifunction display (컄 page 413).

Controls in detail Control system

Settings menu

In the Settings menu there are two functions: 앫 The function Reset to factory

settings?, with which you can reset all the settings to the original factory settings.

앫 A collection of submenus with which you can make individual settings for your vehicle.

왘 Press button è or ÿ repeatedly until the Settings menu appears in the multifunction display.

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The following settings and submenus are available in the Settings menu:

Page Function Resetting all settings 164
Submenus in the settings menu 165
Instrument cluster submenu 167
169
Time/Date submenu 170
Lighting submenu Vehicle submenu 173
176
Comfort submenu*

164

Resetting all settings You can reset the functions of all submenus to the factory settings. 왘 Press the reset button in the instru-

ment cluster (컄 page 145) for approximately 3 seconds. The request to press the reset button once more to confirm appears in the multifunction display.

왘 Press the reset button once more.

The functions of all the submenus will reset to factory settings.

i The settings you have changed will not be reset unless you confirm the action by pressing the reset button a second time. After approximately 5 seconds, the Settings menu reappears in the multifunction display (컄 page 163).

i For safety reasons, the function Lamp Circuit Headlamp in the Lighting submenu cannot be reset while driving. The following message appears in the multifunc- tion display: Settings Cannot be completely reset to factory settings while driving.

Submenus in the Settings menu 왘 Press button j.

The collection of the submenus appears in the multifunction display.

왘 Press button ç.

The selection marker moves to the next submenu.

The submenus are arranged by hierarchy. Scroll down with button ç, scroll up with the button æ. With the selection marker on the desired submenu, use the j button to access the individual functions within that sub- menu. Once within that submenu, you can use the j button to move to the next function or the k button to move to the previous function within that submenu. The settings themselves are made with button æ or ç.

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The table below shows what settings can be changed within the various menus. Detailed instructions on making individual settings can be found on the following pages.

Instrument cluster (컄 page 167) Selecting speedometer display mode

Time/Date (컄 page 169) Setting the time

Lighting (컄 page 170) Setting daytime running lamp mode (USA only)

Selecting language

Setting the date

Setting locator lighting

Compass calibration

Selecting display (digital speedometer or outside temperature) for status in- dicator

166

Setting night security illumination

Audio search function

Setting interior lighting delayed shut-off

Setting automatic cen- tral locking Limiting opening height of tailgate*

Vehicle (컄 page 173) Compass adjustment Activating

Comfort* (컄 page 176)

easy-entry/exit feature* Setting fold-in func- tion* for exterior rear view mirrors

Instrument cluster submenu Access the Instrument Cluster submenu via the Settings menu. Use the Instrument Cluster submenu to change the instrument cluster display settings. The following functions are available:

Function Selecting speedometer display mode Selecting language Selecting display (digital speedometer or outside temperature) for status indica- tor

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167
168

Controls in detail Control system

Selecting speedometer display mode 왘 Move the selection marker with

button æ or ç to the Instrument Cluster submenu.

Selecting language 왘 Move the selection marker with

button æ or ç to the Instrument Cluster submenu.

왘 Press button j or k repeatedly

until the message Display Unit Digital Speedometer appears in the multifunction display. The selection marker is on the current setting.

왘 Press button j or k repeatedly until the message Language appears in the multifunction display. The selection marker is on the current setting.

왘 Press button æ or ç to set speedometer unit to Km or Miles.

왘 Press button æ or ç to select

the language to be used for the multifunction display messages.

i If you select a language that is not available in the COMAND system, the messages for the audio systems, such as radio or CD player, will appear in English, regardless of the language selected. For more information see separate COMAND operating instructions.

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Selecting display (digital speedometer or outside temperature) for status indicator 왘 Move the selection marker with

button æ or ç to the Instrument Cluster submenu.

왘 Press button j or k repeatedly

until the message Status Line Display appears in the multifunction display. The selection marker is on the current setting.

왘 Press button æ or ç to select

the desired setting. The selected display is then shown continuously in the status indicator (lower display). The other display now appears in the menu of the standard display (컄 page 154): 앫 Digital speedometer

or

앫 Outside temperature

Controls in detail Control system

Available languages: 앫 German 앫 English 앫 French 앫 Italian 앫 Spanish 앫 Dutch 앫 Swedish 앫 Danish 앫 Turkish 앫 Portuguese 앫 Russian (Canada only)

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Time/Date submenu Access the Time/Date submenu via the Settings menu. Use the Time/Date submenu to change the time and date settings. The following functions are available:

Function Setting the time Setting the date

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169

i If your vehicle is equipped with the COMAND system and navigation module*, see separate COMAND system operating instruc- tions for information on how to set the date and time.

Setting the time This function is not available if your vehicle is equipped with the COMAND system and navigation module*. 왘 Move the selection marker with

button æ or ç to the Time/Date submenu.

왘 Press button j or k repeatedly until the message Clock Set Hour, or Clock Set Minute(s) appears in the multifunction display. The selection marker is on the hour setting.

Setting the date This function is not available if your vehicle is equipped with the COMAND system and navigation module*. 왘 Move the selection marker with

button æ or ç to the Time/Date submenu.

왘 Press button j or k repeatedly

until the message Date Set Month, Date Set Day, or Date Set Year appears in the multifunction display. The selection marker is on the month setting.

Example illustration for setting the hour 왘 Press button æ or ç to set the

Example illustration for setting the month 왘 Press button æ or ç to set the

hour.

month.

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Controls in detail Control system

Lighting submenu Access the Lighting submenu via the Settings menu. Use the Lighting submenu to change the lamp and lighting settings on your vehicle. The following functions are available:

Page 170

Function Setting daytime running lamp mode (USA only) Setting locator lighting 171
Setting night security illumination 171
Setting interior lighting delayed 172
shut-off

Setting daytime running lamp mode (USA only)

i This function is not available in countries where the daytime running lamp mode is mandatory and therefore in a constant mode.

170

왘 Move the selection marker with

button æ or ç to the Lighting submenu.

왘 Press button j or k repeatedly

until the message Lamp Circuit Headlamp appears in the multifunction display. The selection marker is on the current setting.

왘 Press button æ or ç to select manual operation (Manual) or daytime running lamp mode (Constant).

With daytime running lamp mode activated and the exterior lamp switch in position M or U, the low beam headlamps are switched on when the engine is running.

In low ambient light conditions the following lamps will switch on additionally: 앫 Parking lamps 앫 Tail lamps 앫 License plate lamps 앫 Side marker lamps For more information on the daytime running lamp mode, see “Lighting” (컄 page 135).

i For safety reasons, changing the setting for the daytime running lamp mode is not possible while the vehicle is in motion. The following message appears in the multifunction display: Settings can only be made at a standstill. For safety reasons, resetting to factory settings (컄 page 164) while driving will not deactivate the daytime running lamp mode.

Setting locator lighting With the locator lighting feature activated, the exterior lamp switch in position U (컄 page 135) and the interior lighting in au- tomatic mode (컄 page 143), the following lamps will switch on during darkness when the vehicle is unlocked using button Œ on the SmartKey or SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO: 앫 Parking lamps 앫 Tail lamps 앫 License plate lamps 앫 Side marker lamps 앫 Front fog lamps* The locator lighting switches off when the driver’s door is opened. If you do not open a door after unlocking the vehicle with the SmartKey, the lamps will switch off automatically after approximately 40 seconds.

왘 Move the selection marker with

button æ or ç to the Lighting submenu.

왘 Press button j or k repeatedly until the message Surround Lighting Function appears in the multifunction display. The selection marker is on the current setting.

왘 Press button æ or ç to switch the locator lighting function On or Off.

왘 Turn the exterior lamp switch to

position U when exiting the vehicle. The locator lighting feature is activated.

Controls in detail Control system

Setting night security illumination (Headlamps delayed shut-off) Use this function to set whether you would like the exterior lamps to remain on for 15 seconds during darkness after exiting the vehicle and closing all doors. With the headlamps delayed shut-off feature activated and the exterior lamp switch in position U before the engine is turned off, the following lamps will switch on when the engine is turned off: 앫 Parking lamps 앫 Tail lamps 앫 License plate lamps 앫 Side marker lamps 앫 Front fog lamps If after turning off the engine you do not open a door or do not close an opened door, the lamps will automatically switch off after 60 seconds.

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Controls in detail Control system

왘 Move the selection marker with

왘 Turn the exterior lamp switch to

button æ or ç to the Lighting submenu.

왘 Press button j or k repeatedly until the message Headlamp Delayed Shut-off appears in the multifunction display. The selection marker is on the current setting.

왘 Press button æ or ç to switch

the headlamps delayed shut-off feature On or Off.

position U before turning off the engine. The headlamps delayed shut-off feature is activated.

You can temporarily deactivate the headlamps delayed shut-off feature: 왘 Before exiting the vehicle, turn the SmartKey in the starter switch to position 0.

왘 Then turn it to position 2 and back

to 0. The headlamps delayed shut-off feature is deactivated. It will reactivate as soon as you reinsert the SmartKey in the starter switch.

Vehicles with KEYLESS-GO*: 왘 Press KEYLESS-GO start/stop button

in the starter switch (컄 page 41).

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Setting interior lighting delayed shut-off Use this function to set whether you would like the interior lighting to remain on for 10 seconds during darkness after you have removed the SmartKey from the starter switch. 왘 Move the selection marker with

button æ or ç to the Lighting submenu.

왘 Press button j or k repeatedly until the message Interior Lighting Delayed Shut-off appears in the multifunction display. The selection marker is on the current setting.

왘 Press button æ or ç to switch the interior lighting delayed shut-off feature On or Off.

Compass adjustment This function is not available if your vehicle is equipped with the COMAND system and navigation module*. Determine your location on the basis of the following zone maps.

Vehicle submenu Access the Vehicle submenu via the Settings menu. Use the Vehicle submenu to make general vehicle settings. The following functions are available:

Function Compass adjustment Compass calibration Audio search function Setting automatic central locking Limiting opening height of tailgate*

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175
175

176

Zone map North America

Controls in detail Control system

Zone map South America 왘 Press button æ or ç to move the selection marker to the Vehicle submenu.

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Controls in detail Control system

컄컄

왘 Press button j or k repeatedly

Compass calibration

왘 Press button j or k repeatedly

until the message Compass Setting Zone appears in the multifunction display. The selection marker is on the current setting.

왘 Press button æ or ç to set the

respective compass zone.

For information on how to call up the compass, see “Compass” (컄 page 307).

until the message Compass Calibration appears in the multifunction display. The selection marker is on setting switched Off.

왘 Press button æ to set the selection

marker to Start. The following message appears in the multifunction display: Compass Calibration Active Please drive in a full circle.

i Make sure you are in area where you can drive a full circle with your vehicle without dis- turbing traffic in order to calibrate the compass.

This function is not available if your vehicle is equipped with the COMAND system and navigation module*. In order to calibrate the compass properly, mind the following: 앫 Calibrate the compass in open terrain. Nearby buildings, bridges, power lines and large antenna masts, for example, could impair compass calibration.

앫 Switch off electrical consumers (e.g. climate control, windshield wipers, or rear window defroster).

앫 Close all doors and the tailgate. 왘 Start the engine (컄 page 54). 왘 Press button æ or ç to move the selection marker to the Vehicle submenu.

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Controls in detail Control system

왘 Drive a full circle at a vehicle speed of

between 3 mph and 6 mph (5 km/h and 10 km/h). When calibration was successful, the following message appears in the mul- tifunction display: Compass Calibration Completed Successfully

i If the message Compass Calibration Completed Successfully does not appear in the multifunction display, drive another full circle. If calibration does not succeed within 3 minutes, the message Compass Calibration appears in the multifunction display again. Calibrating the compass has failed due to outside influences. Repeat compass calibration in a different location.

Audio search function Use of the Audio search function to select a radio station will enable you to start a frequency scan (Frequency) (컄 page 160) or select a radio station stored in memory (Memory). 왘 Move the selection marker with

button æ or ç to the Vehicle submenu.

왘 Press button j or k repeatedly

until the message Audio Search Function appears in the multifunction display. The selection marker is on the current setting.

Setting automatic central locking Use this function to activate or deactivate the automatic central locking. With the automatic central locking system activated, the vehicle is centrally locked at vehicle speeds of approximately 9 mph (15 km/h). 왘 Move the selection marker with

button æ or ç to the Vehicle submenu.

왘 Press button j or k repeatedly

until the message Automatic Door Locking appears in the multifunction display. The selection marker is on the current setting.

왘 Press button æ or ç to select

Frequency or Memory.

왘 Press button æ or ç to switch the automatic central locking On or Off.

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Controls in detail Control system

Limiting opening height of tailgate* Use this function to activate or deactivate the limiting opening height of the tailgate. 왘 Move the selection marker with

button æ or ç to the Vehicle submenu.

왘 Press button j or k repeatedly

until the message Opening Limiter Tailgate appears in the multifunction display. The selection marker is on the current setting.

Comfort submenu* Access the Comfort submenu via the Settings menu. Use the Comfort submenu to change the settings for a number of con- venience features. The following functions are available:

Function Activating easy-entry/exit feature* Setting fold-in function* for exterior rear view mirrors

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177

왘 Press button æ or ç to switch

the limiting opening height of the tailgate On or Off.

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Activating easy-entry/exit feature* Use this function to activate and deactivate the easy-entry/exit feature (컄 page 46).

Warning!

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: 앫 Move steering wheel adjustment stalk*

(컄 page 48).

앫 Press one of the stored position

buttons* or the memory button M* (컄 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.

왘 Move the selection marker with

button æ or ç to the Comfort submenu.

왘 Press button j or k repeatedly

until the message Easy-entry Function appears in the multifunction display. The selection marker is on the current setting.

왘 Press button æ or ç to switch the easy-entry/exit feature On or Off.

Setting fold-in function* for exterior rear view mirrors Using this function, you can set the exterior rear view mirrors to be automati- cally folded in when you lock your vehicle.

i With this function set to On and the exterior rear view mirrors folded in using the button on the door control panel (컄 page 200), the exterior rear view mirrors will not fold out when you switch on the ignition. You will then have to fold out the exterior rear view mirrors using the button on the door control panel (컄 page 200). Make sure both exterior rear view mirrors are folded out completely before driving off. 왘 Move the selection marker with

button æ or ç to the Comfort submenu.

왘 Press button j or k repeatedly

until the message Fold In Mirrors When Locking appears in the multi- function display. The selection marker is on the current setting.

Controls in detail Control system

왘 Press button æ or ç to switch

function On or Off.

Vehicle configuration

The following functions are available:

Function DSR set speed

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DSR (Downhill Speed Regulation) programmed default speed In the DSR menu, you can program the default speed the DSR is set to when it is activated. You can program the default speed be- tween 4-10 mph (Canada: 6-18 km/h). The set value is increased in 1 mph (Canada: 2 km/h) increments. 왘 Press button è or ÿ repeatedly until the message DSR Speed appears in the multifunction display. The selection marker is on the current setting.

178

왘 Press button æ or ç repeatedly until the desired speed is shown in the multifunction display. When DSR is switched on, DSR will use the programmed default speed to regu- late the vehicle’s speed.

i Once DSR is switched on, you can adjust the set speed using the cruise control lever (컄 page 251).

Trip computer menu

Use the trip computer menu to call up statistical data on your vehicle. The following information is available:

Function Fuel consumption statistics since start Fuel consumption statistics since last reset Resetting fuel consumption statistics Distance to empty

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180

i When you enter the trip computer menu, you will always see the fuel consumption statistics since start first.

Fuel consumption statistics since start 왘 Press button ÿ or è repeatedly until the message From Start appears in the multifunction display.

Fuel consumption statistics since last reset 왘 Press button ÿ or è repeatedly until the message From Start appears in the multifunction display.

왘 Press button j or k repeatedly until the message From Reset appears in the multifunction display.

1 Distance driven since start 2 Time elapsed since start 3 Average speed since start 4 Average fuel consumption since start

i All statistics stored since the last engine start will be reset approximately 4 hours after the SmartKey in the starter switch is turned to position 0 or removed from the starter switch. Resetting will not occur if you turn the SmartKey back to position 1 or 2 within this time period.

1 Distance driven since last reset 2 Time elapsed since last reset 3 Average speed since last reset 4 Average fuel consumption since last

reset

Controls in detail Control system

Resetting fuel consumption statistics 왘 Press button ÿ or è repeatedly until the message From Start appears in the multifunction display.

왘 Press button j or k repeatedly

until the fuel consumption statistics which you want to reset appear in the multifunction display.

왘 Press and hold the reset button in the instrument cluster (컄 page 145) until the respective values are reset to 0.

i The fuel consumption statistics reset auto- matically to 0 when either of the following values is exceeded: 앫 distance covered: 100000 miles 앫 time elapsed: 10000 hours

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Distance to empty 왘 Press button ÿ or è repeatedly until the message From Start appears in the multifunction display.

왘 Press button j or k repeatedly

until the message Range: appears in the multifunction display. The calculated remaining driving range based on the current fuel tank level appears in the multifunction display.

i If only very little fuel is left in the tank, a vehicle at the fuel pump is shown instead of the range.

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TEL* menu

Warning!

A driver’s attention to the road must always be his/her primary focus when driving. For your safety and the safety of others, we rec- ommend that you pull over to a safe location and stop before placing or taking a tele- phone call. If you choose to use the tele- phone while driving, please use the hands-free device and only use the tele- phone when weather, road and traffic condi- tions permit.

Some jurisdictions prohibit the driver from using a cellular telephone while driving a ve- hicle.

Bear in mind that at a speed of just 30 mph (approximately 50 km/h), your vehicle is covering a distance of 44 feet (approximately 14 m) every second.

Never operate radio transmitters equipped with a built-in or attached antenna (i.e. with- out being connected to an external antenna) from inside the vehicle while the engine is running. Doing so could lead to a malfunc- tion of the vehicle’s electronic system, pos- sibly resulting in an accident and/or personal injury.

You can use the functions in the TEL menu to operate your telephone, provided it is connected to a hands-free system and switched on. 왘 Switch on the telephone and COMAND

system.

왘 Press button ÿ or è on the

multifunction steering wheel repeated- ly until the message TEL appears in the multifunction display.

Which messages will appear in the multi- function display depends on whether your telephone is switched on or off: 앫 If the telephone is off, the message TEL Off appears in the multifunction display.

Answering a call When your telephone is ready to receive calls, you can answer a call at any time. In the multifunction display you will then see the message, or if available, the caller ID (name and number):

앫 If the telephone is on:

The telephone will then search for a network. During this time the multi- function display is empty. As soon as the telephone has found a network, the message Ready appears in the multifunction display.

This standby message indicates that your telephone is ready for use and you can operate it using the control system.

왘 Press button s.

You have answered the call. The duration of the call appears in the multifunction display.

Ending a call or rejecting an incoming call 왘 Press button t.

Controls in detail Control system

Dialing a number from the phone book If your telephone is ready to receive calls, you may select and dial a number from the phone book at any time. 왘 Press button ÿ or è repeatedly until the message TEL appears in the multifunction display.

왘 Press button j or k.

The control system reads the phone book which is stored in the telephone. This may take several minutes. The message Please Wait appears in the multifunction display. When the message Please Wait disappears, the phone book has been loaded.

왘 Press button j or k repeatedly until the desired name appears in the multifunction display. The stored names are displayed in ascending or descending alphabetical order.

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컄컄

1 Name from the phone book

i If you press and hold button j or k for longer than 1 second, the system scrolls rapidly through the list of names until you release the button again. Cancel the quick search mode by pressing button t. 왘 Press button s.

The system dials the selected phone number. 앫 If the connection is successful and

this feature is supported by your network provider, the name of the party (if stored in your phone book) you are calling and the duration of the call will appear in the multifunc- tion display.

182

앫 If no connection is made, the

control system stores the dialed number in the redial memory.

Redialing The control system stores the most recently dialed phone numbers. This eliminates the need to search through your entire phone book. 왘 Press button ÿ or è repeatedly until the message TEL appears in the multifunction display.

왘 Press button s.

The first number in the redial memory appears in the multifunction display.

왘 Press button j or k repeatedly until the desired name appears in the multifunction display.

왘 Press button s.

The control system dials the selected phone number.

왔 Automatic transmission For more information on driving with an automatic transmission, see “Automatic transmission” (컄 page 54). Your vehicle’s transmission adapts its gear shifting process to your individual driving style by continually adjusting the shift points up or down. These shift point adjust- ments are performed based on current operating and driving conditions. If the operating conditions change, the automatic transmission reacts by adjusting its shift program.

i During the brief warm-up, transmission upshifting is delayed. This allows the catalytic converter (gasoline engine) or the oxidation catalyst (diesel engine) to heat up more quickly to operating temperature.

Controls in detail Automatic transmission

Warning!

Gear selector lever

Make sure that absolutely no objects are obstructing the pedal’s range of movement. Keep the driver’s footwell clear of all obsta- cles. If there are any floormats or carpets in the footwell, make sure that the pedals still have sufficient clearance.

During sudden driving or braking maneuvers the objects could get caught between the pedals. You could then no longer brake or accelerate. This could lead to accidents and injury.

The gear selector lever is located on the right of the steering column.

Gearshift pattern for automatic transmission P Park position R Reverse gear N Neutral D Drive position

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Shifting from P to N Moving the gear selector lever up or down shifts the automatic transmission out of park position P: 왘 With the vehicle at a standstill, depress

the brake pedal and keep it pressed.

왘 Move gear selector lever up or down to

resistance point to select neutral position N.

i The gear selector lever returns to its original position.

Shifting from N to R or from N to D 왘 With the vehicle at a standstill, depress

the brake pedal and keep it pressed.

왘 Move gear selector lever up past the re- sistance point to select reverse gear R.

or 왘 Move gear selector lever down past the

resistance point to select drive position D.

i The gear selector lever returns to its original position. 왘 Release the parking brake (컄 page 57). 왘 Release the brake pedal. 왘 Carefully depress the accelerator pedal

to drive off when it is safe to do so.

Controls in detail Automatic transmission

i The current transmission position P, R, N, or D appears in the multifunction display (컄 page 187).

Warning!

It is dangerous to shift the automatic trans- mission out of park position P or neutral position N if the engine speed is higher than idle speed. If your foot is not firmly on the brake pedal, the vehicle could accelerate quickly forward or reverse. You could lose control of the vehicle and hit someone or something. Only shift into gear when the engine is idling normally and when your right foot is firmly on the brake pedal.

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Shifting from P to R 왘 With the vehicle at a standstill, depress

Shifting from P to D 왘 With the vehicle at a standstill, depress

the brake pedal and keep it pressed.

the brake pedal and keep it pressed.

왘 Move gear selector lever up past the re- sistance point to select reverse gear R.

i The gear selector lever returns to its original position. 왘 Release the parking brake (컄 page 57). 왘 Release the brake pedal. 왘 Carefully depress the accelerator pedal

to drive off when it is safe to do so.

왘 Move gear selector lever down past the

resistance point to select drive position D.

i The gear selector lever returns to its original position. 왘 Release the parking brake (컄 page 57). 왘 Release the brake pedal. 왘 Carefully depress the accelerator pedal

to drive off when it is safe to do so.

Controls in detail Automatic transmission

Shifting from D, R, or N to P If you want to select park position P with the transmission being in drive position D, reverse gear R or neutral position N: 왘 With the vehicle at a standstill, depress

the brake pedal and keep it pressed. 왘 Step firmly on parking brake pedal

(컄 page 65).

왘 Press button on gear selector lever in

direction of arrow (컄 page 183) to select park position P.

왘 Release the brake pedal.

! Shift the automatic transmission directly from drive position D to reverse gear R, from reverse gear R to drive position D or directly to park position P only when the vehicle is stopped. Otherwise the automatic transmission could be damaged. When trying to free a vehicle stuck in mud or snow, see “Rocking the vehicle” (컄 page 191).

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Shifting procedure

The automatic transmission selects indi- vidual gears automatically, depending on: 앫 drive position D (컄 page 187) with gear

ranges (컄 page 192)

앫 the selected program mode (M/C/S)

(ML 63 AMG only) (컄 page 194)

앫 the position of the accelerator pedal

(컄 page 190)

앫 the vehicle speed

! Allow engine to warm up under low load use. Do not place full load on the engine until the operating temperature has been reached. Shift into reverse gear R or park position P only when the vehicle is stopped. Avoid spinning of a drive wheel for an extended period when driving off on slippery road surfaces. This may cause serious damage to the drivetrain which is not covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty. With drive position D selected, you can use the steering wheel gearshift control buttons (컄 page 193) to influence trans- mission shifting by: 앫 limiting the gear range 앫 changing gears manually

Controls in detail Automatic transmission

Shifting from D or R to N If you want to select neutral position N with the transmission being in drive position D or reverse gear R: 왘 With the vehicle at a standstill, depress

the brake pedal and keep it pressed.

왘 Step firmly on parking brake pedal

(컄 page 65).

i When the vehicle needs to be moved with the engine switched off and the transmission set to neutral position N (컄 page 184), do not depress the parking brake pedal. 왘 Move gear selector lever up to resis-

tance point when in drive position D or down to resistance point when in reverse gear R to select neutral position N.

왘 Release the brake pedal.

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Transmission positions

The current transmission position appears in the multifunction display.

1 Current transmission position

! If the current transmission position does not appear in the multifunction display due to a malfunction, for example, make sure that the automatic transmission is in the desired position by carefully driving off with the transmission in drive position D. ML 63 AMG: Select program mode C (컄 page 194). Do not limit the gear range.

Effect

ì Park position

Shift into park position P only when vehicle is stopped. The park position is not intended to serve as a brake when the vehi- cle is parked. Rather, the driver should always set the parking brake in addition to shifting into park position P to secure the vehicle. If the vehicle’s electrical system is malfunctioning, the automatic transmission could remain locked in park position P. 왘 Have the vehicle checked as soon as possible by an autho- rized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center.

Controls in detail Automatic transmission

! SmartKey: If you turn off the engine using the SmartKey and 앫 remove the SmartKey from the starter

switch or

앫 open a front door the transmission will shift to park position P automatically. Keep in mind that turning off the engine with the SmartKey alone only will automatically shift the transmission to neutral position N.

! KEYLESS-GO*: If you turn off the engine using the KEYLESS-GO start/stop button and open a front door, the transmission will shift to park position P automatically. Keep in mind that turning off the engine using the KEYLESS-GO start/stop button alone only will automatically shift the transmission to neutral position N.

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Controls in detail Automatic transmission

i Make it a practice to always shift into park position P before turning off the engine and 앫 remove the SmartKey from the starter

switch or

앫 open a front door or when using KEYLESS-GO*, before turning off the engine with the start/stop button and open- ing a front door.

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Effect

í Reverse gear

Shift into reverse gear R only when the vehicle is stopped.

ë Neutral

No power is transmitted from the engine to the drive axle. When the brakes are released, the vehicle can be moved freely (pushed or towed). To avoid damage to the transmis- sion, never shift into neutral position N while driving. If the ESP® is deactivated or malfunctioning: Shift into neutral position N only if the vehicle is in danger of skidding, e.g. on icy roads.

! If you turn off the engine using the SmartKey or the KEYLESS-GO* start/stop button, the transmission will shift to neutral position N automatically.

If you want the gear position to remain in neutral position N, e.g. when taking the vehicle through an automatic conveyor type car wash, observe the following instructions.

Warning!

When leaving the SmartKey or SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO* in the starter switch, do not leave children unattended in the vehicle. It is possible for children to switch on the ignition which could result in unsupervised use of vehicle equipment. A child’s unsupervised access to a vehicle could result in an accident and/or serious personal injury.

Controls in detail Automatic transmission

Vehicles with SmartKey: 왘 With the vehicle at a standstill and the ignition switched on shift the automatic transmission to neutral position N.

왘 If engaged, release the parking brake

(컄 page 57).

왘 Switch off the ignition and leave the

SmartKey in the starter switch.

Vehicles with KEYLESS-GO*: 왘 With the vehicle at a standstill, depress

the brake pedal and keep it pressed.

왘 With the ignition switched on shift the

automatic transmission to park position P.

왘 Release the brake pedal. 왘 Remove the KEYLESS-GO* start/stop

button from the starter switch (컄 page 41).

왘 Insert the SmartKey with

KEYLESS-GO* into the starter switch.

왘 Switch on the ignition. 왘 Depress the brake pedal. 왘 Shift the automatic transmission to

neutral position N.

왘 Release the brake pedal. 왘 If engaged, release the parking brake

(컄 page 57).

왘 Switch off the ignition and leave the SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO* in the starter switch.

! Observe instructions 앫 when taking the vehicle through an automatic conveyor type car wash (컄 page 392)

앫 when towing the vehicle (컄 page 499)

! Coasting the vehicle, or driving for any other reason in neutral position N can result in trans- mission damage that is not covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.

Effect ê Drive

The transmission shifts automatically. All forward gears are available.

Warning!

Getting out of your vehicle without shifting into park position P is dangerous. Also, park position P alone is not intended to or capa- ble of preventing your vehicle from moving, possibly hitting people or objects.

Always set the parking brake in addition to shifting to position P (컄 page 65). When parked on an incline, turn the front wheels towards the road curb.

Do not park this vehicle in areas where com- bustible materials such as grass, hay or leaves can come into contact with the hot exhaust system, as these materials could be ignited and cause a vehicle fire.

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Controls in detail Automatic transmission

Warning!

Driving tips

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. Children could shift the automatic transmission out of park position P, which could result in an accident and/or serious personal injury.

Accelerator position Your driving style influences the transmission’s shifting behavior: Less throttle More throttle

Earlier upshifting Later upshifting

Kickdown Use kickdown when you want maximum acceleration. 왘 Press the accelerator past the point of

resistance. Depending on the engine speed the transmission shifts into a lower gear.

왘 Ease on the accelerator when you have

reached the desired speed. The transmission shifts up again.

Stopping When you stop briefly, e.g. at traffic lights: 왘 Leave the transmission in gear. 왘 Hold the vehicle with the brake. When you stop for a longer period of time with the engine idling and/or on a hill: 왘 Set the parking brake. 왘 Shift into park position P.

Maneuvering When you maneuver in tight areas, e.g. when pulling into a parking space: 왘 Control the vehicle speed by gradually

releasing the brakes.

왘 Accelerate gently. 왘 Never abruptly step on the accelerator.

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Rocking the vehicle Rocking the vehicle by shifting between drive position D and reverse gear R can help free a vehicle stuck in mud or snow. The engine control system of this vehicle electronically limits shifting between drive position D and reverse gear R to very low speeds, i.e. approximately 5 mph (9 km/h). To shift between drive position D and reverse gear R, move the gear selector lever past the resistance point up or down.

Working on the vehicle

Warning!

When working on the vehicle, set the parking brake and shift to park position P. Otherwise the vehicle could roll away.

Hill start assist system

Warning!

The hill start assist system is not designed to function as a parking brake and does not prevent the vehicle from moving when parked on an incline.

Always set the parking brake in addition to shifting to park position P.

On uphill grades with a gradient angle of more than 5°, the hill start assist system maintains the pressure in the brake sys- tem for approximately 1 second after you have released the brake pedal. Therefore, you can start off smoothly without the vehicle moving immediately after releasing the brake pedal.

Controls in detail Automatic transmission

The hill start assist system is inactive 앫 when starting off on a level road or

downhill grades

앫 with the transmission in neutral

position N

앫 with the parking brake set 앫 if the ESP® has switched off due to a

malfunction

Towing a trailer If you tow a trailer, note the following points: 앫 Manually shift to a lower gear range

(컄 page 192) if the transmission hunts between gears on inclines. A lower gear range and reduction of speed reduces the chance to overload or overheat the engine.

For more information on trailer towing, see the “Operation” section (컄 page 328).

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Effect

Effect

ï The transmission shifts through

sixth gear only.

î The transmission shifts through

fifth gear only.

é The transmission shifts through

fourth gear only.

è The transmission shifts through

third gear only. With this selection you can use the braking effect of the engine.

ç The transmission shifts through

second gear only. Allows the use of engine’s braking power when driving: 앫 on steep downgrades 앫 in mountainous regions 앫 under extreme operating

conditions

æ The transmission operates in

first gear only. For maximum use of engine’s braking effect on very steep or lengthy downgrades.

Controls in detail Automatic transmission

Gear ranges

With the automatic transmission in drive position D, you can select a gear range for the automatic transmission to operate within. You can limit the gear range by pressing the left gearshift button on the steering wheel gearshift control, and reverse the gear range limit by pressing the right gear- shift button on the steering wheel gearshift control (컄 page 193). The selected gear range appears in the multifunction display.

1 Current gear range

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Steering wheel gearshift control

With drive position D selected, you can limit or extend the gear range. If your vehicle is equipped with manual shift program M, you can use the steering wheel gearshift control to manually shift the gears.

i ML 63 AMG: For information on using the steering wheel gear- shift control in program mode M, see “Shift pro- gram (ML 63 AMG only)” (컄 page 194).

! Allow engine to warm up under low load use. Do not place full load on the engine until the operating temperature has been reached. Shift into reverse gear R or park position P only when the vehicle is stopped. Avoid spinning of a drive wheel for an extended period when driving off on slippery road surfaces. This may cause serious damage to the drivetrain which is not covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.

1 Left shift button: limiting gear range or

downshift (in program mode M)

2 Right shift button: extending gear

range or upshift (in program mode M)

i You cannot shift with the steering wheel gearshift control buttons when the transmission is in position P, N or R.

Controls in detail Automatic transmission

Limiting gear range

Warning!

On slippery road surfaces, never downshift in order to obtain braking action. This could result in drive wheel slip and reduced vehicle control. Your vehicle’s ABS will not prevent this type of loss of control.

왘 Briefly press left shift button 1.

The transmission will shift to the next lower gear as permitted by the shift program. This action simultaneously limits the gear range of the automatic transmission (컄 page 192).

i To avoid overrevving the engine when down- shifting, the transmission will not shift to a lower gear if the engine’s max. speed would be ex- ceeded.

193

Controls in detail Automatic transmission

Extending gear range 왘 Briefly press right shift button 2.

The transmission will shift to the next higher gear as permitted by the shift program. This action simultaneously extends the gear range of the automat- ic transmission (컄 page 192).

Shifting into optimal gear range 왘 Press and hold left shift button 1. The transmission will automatically select the gear range suited for optimal acceleration and deceleration. This will involve shifting down one or more gears.

i If you press on the accelerator when the engine has reached its rpm limit, the transmis- sion will upshift beyond any gear range limit selected.

Canceling gear range limit 왘 Press and hold right shift button 2 until the cipher for the current gear range disappears from the multifunc- tion display (컄 page 192). The transmission will shift from the current gear range directly to gear range D.

Shift program (ML 63 AMG only)

! Allow engine to warm up under low load use. Do not place full load on the engine until the operating temperature has been reached. Shift into reverse gear R or park position P only when the vehicle is stopped. Avoid spinning of a drive wheel for an extended period when driving off on slippery road surfaces. This may cause serious damage to the drivetrain which is not covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.

You can choose between automatic shift program C or S and manual shift program M.

1 Program mode selector switch M Manual C Comfort S Sport

For manual gear shifting For standard driving For sporty driving

! Never change the program mode when the automatic transmission is out of park position P. This could result in a change of driving character- istics for which you may not be prepared.

194

The selected program mode appears in the multifunction display.

앫 Traction and driving stability are

improved on icy roads.

앫 Upshifts occur earlier even when

you give more gas. The engine then operates at lower rpms and the wheels are less likely to spin.

Select S for sporty driving: 앫 The vehicle starts out in first gear. 앫 Upshifts occur later.

i The last selected program mode (C or S) is switched on when the engine is restarted.

Manual shift program In the manual program mode M, system-controlled automatic gearshifting is switched off and you need to change the the gears by manually upshifting or down- shifting using the steering wheel gearshift control buttons to the left and right of the steering wheel (컄 page 193).

1 Current program mode

Automatic shift program You can choose between automatic shift program C or S. 왘 Press program mode selector switch

repeatedly until the letter of the desired program mode appears in the multifunction display. Select C for standard driving: 앫 The vehicle starts out in second

gear (both forward and reverse) for gentler starts. This does not apply if full throttle is applied or gear range 1 is selected.

Controls in detail Automatic transmission

Activating manual shift program 왘 Press program mode selector switch repeatedly until the M for the manual program mode M appears in the multi- function display. The transmission switches to the manual program mode M. Automatic shifting is switched off. The gear range is not limited.

You can change the gears manually with drive position D selected. You can upshift or downshift through the gears in succes- sion.

i The manual program mode M will not be stored. When the engine is turned off with the manual program mode M selected, the transmis- sion will go to the automatic program mode (C or S) when the engine is restarted.

195

Controls in detail Automatic transmission

Upshifting

! In the manual program mode M, the trans- mission will not upshift, even if the engine has reached its overrewing range. Shift up to the next gear before the engine has reached its over- rewing range. Make absolutely certain that the engine speed does not reach the red marking on the tachometer (컄 page 28). Otherwise the en- gine could be damaged which is not covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty. 왘 Briefly press right shift button 2

(컄 page 193). The transmission shifts to the next higher gear.

If you have selected the AMG menu in the control system and you are driving in the manual program mode M, upshift indicator 2 in the multifunction display advises you to upshift before the engine reaches the overspeed range. Thus you can drive at the maximum engine speed for each gear without overrevving the engine.

196

1 Gear indicator 2 Upshift indicator 왘 Shift to the next higher gear.

The fuel supply will otherwise be inter- rupted to prevent the engine from over- revving.

Downshifting

Warning!

On slippery road surfaces, never downshift in order to obtain braking action. This could result in drive wheel slip and reduced vehicle control. Your vehicle’s ABS will not prevent this type of loss of control.

왘 Briefly press left shift button 1

(컄 page 193). The transmission shifts to the next lower gear.

i When you brake or stop, the transmission shifts down to a gear from which you can easily accelerate or drive off.

Kickdown Using the kickdown when driving in the manual program mode M is not possible.

Deactivating manual shift program 왘 Press the program mode selector

switch (컄 page 194) repeatedly until C or S appears in the multifunction display.

or 왘 Restart the engine.

The transmission will go to the automatic program mode (C or S). The manual program mode M is not stored.

Emergency operation (Limp-Home Mode)

If vehicle acceleration becomes less re- sponsive or sluggish or the transmission no longer shifts, the transmission is most likely operating in limp-home (emergency operation) mode. In this mode only second gear and reverse gear can be activated. 왘 Stop the vehicle in a safe location. 왘 Shift to park position P. 왘 Turn off the engine. 왘 Wait at least 10 seconds before

restarting.

왘 Restart the engine. 왘 Shift to drive position D (for second

gear) or reverse gear R.

왘 Have the transmission checked at an authorized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center as soon as possible.

Controls in detail Automatic transmission

197

Controls in detail Transfer case

! Operational or performance test must only be conducted on a two-axle dynamometer. If such tests are necessary, contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center. You could otherwise seriously damage the brake system or the transfer case which is not covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.

! Because the ESP® operates automatically, the engine and ignition must be shut off (SmartKey in starter switch position 0 or 1 or KEYLESS-GO* start/stop button in position 0 or 1) when testing the parking brake on a brake test dynamometer and such testing should be no longer than 10 seconds. Active braking action through the ESP® may otherwise seriously damage the brake system which is not covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.

i The vehicle is equipped with permanent four-wheel drive. Both the front and rear axles are powered at all times when the vehicle is being operated.

198

왔 Good visibility For information on windshield wipers, see “Windshield wipers” (컄 page 60).

Headlamp cleaning system*

The headlamps will automatically be cleaned with a high-pressure water jet when you have 앫 switched on the headlamps

and

앫 operated the windshield wipers with

windshield washer fluid five times

When you switch off the headlamps, the counter resets. For information on filling up the washer reservoir, see “Windshield/rear window washer system and headlamp cleaning system*” (컄 page 346).

Rear view mirrors

For more information on setting the rear view mirrors, see “Mirrors” (컄 page 49).

Interior rear view mirror, antiglare position

1 Lever 왘 Tilt the mirror to the antiglare position by moving lever 1 towards the wind- shield. The interior rear view mirror is dimmed.

Controls in detail Good visibility

Auto-dimming rear view mirrors* The reflection brightness of the exterior rear view mirror on the driver’s side and the interior rear view mirror will respond automatically to glare when 앫 the ignition is switched on

and

앫 incoming light from headlamps falls on

the sensor in the interior rear view mirror

The rear view mirror will not react if 앫 the automatic transmission is set to

position R

앫 the interior lighting is turned on

199