Mercedes-Benz 2002 ML 500, Operator'S Manual

Page: 192 / 539

191
Controls in detail
Automatic transmission
Rocking the vehicle
Rocking the vehicle by shifting between D
and R can help free a vehicle stuck in mud
or snow. The engine control system of this
vehicle electronically limits shifting
between
D and R to very low speeds
(i.e. approx. 2 mph). To shift between D
and R , move the gear selector lever past
the resistance point up or down.
Hill start assist system
On uphill grades, the hill start assist
system maintains the pressure in the
brake system for approximately
one second after you have released the
brake pedal. Therefore, you can start off
smoothly without the vehicle moving im-
mediately after releasing the brake pedal.
The hill start assist system is inactive
앫
on driving downhill
앫
in position N
앫
with the parking brake set
Working on the vehicle
Towing a trailer
If you tow a trailer, note the following
points:
앫
Manually shift to a lower gear range
(
컄
page 187) 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 314).
Warning!
G
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 .
i
If the ESP
®
has switched off due to a
malfunction, the hill start assist system
is also unavailable.
Warning!
G
When working on the vehicle, set the
parking brake and shift to park position P .
Otherwise the vehicle could roll away.