Stoneseller

Just saw this adapter on the Tekonsha website.
An adapter that looks to be the one to correct my issue on GL's & LED trailer light flashing
http://www.tekonsha.com/content/prod...575&part=20142

N4HHE

An old German engineer who liked beer. He pointed out German cars of the time didn't have cup holders. That when one was driving one was to do nothing but drive. That German driver's licenses had to be earned and didn't come seemingly free in a box of Cracker Jacks the way American driver's licenses seem to come. I started watching and sure enough American cars were sprouting cup holders everywhere one could possibly fit. Germans had none, but grew a few over the years.

Conversely my 1983 Porsche 928S was the first car I saw an option for a factory installed cellular radio. But no cup holders.

The F-250 I traded for ML320 had (6) cup holders that I remember in the front and at least 4 in the back.

MBE350Driver

I ordered an ML350 BTC on Wednesday. On Saturday the dealer said the factory can't satisfy my order for the 20" optional (5 dbl spokes) wheels and there is nothing but the standard 19". I said the standard wheel is not acceptable and they'll have to get my 20's or get me the ML550 optional AMG 20" wheels. More info coming on Monday...

N4HHE

I'm the opposite. I'd rather have an 18" wheel with 55 or 60 series tire than the 255/50-19 currently mounted.

My 928S was really exotic during its day, wearing 225/50-16's!

I select wheel designs based on ease of cleaning. Like smooth and simple. No sharp edges or nooks.

Stoneseller

My salesman emailed today that my new 350 Bluetec is due at the dealer late tonight. His original ETA when I spec'ed it out was around 04/10.

My quandary. I mailed my final lease payment on this past Thursday, 3/28. Due date is today (4/1), and I'm reasonably sure the check has arrived & will be paid by tomorrow, if not today.
I'm certainly anxious to get behind the wheel of my new ride, I'm hesitant to take delivery one day this week & hope for MB's to properly credit me a month's worth of lease.

Did I mention I'm anxious?

hutch300

Your dealer can contact MB and work something out.

AVB

Confirming that in 2013 ML-350BT, this adapter is no longer needed - computer recognized the LED lights in trailer as valid. This is with the Tekonsha P3 controller.

Stoneseller

Good news. I'm picking mine up this Saturday.

I'm still undecided on which wired Controller to go with.

AVB

MB dealer installed my P3 for $150 labor charge at the time of delivery - wired and mounted.

Stoneseller

This is one nice truck!
It drives very dramatically lighter than my past GL's, and the feeling of sheer effortless power is particularly impressive. Only the slightest push on the pedal & I'm going from 50 mph to 75 mph without hardly even noticing it.
Drove right around 100 miles today, & computer tells me 27.6 MPG.
Label me impressed!

340z

I have to agree. I just picked mine up yesterday, and I am thoroughly enjoying the low rpm torque both around town and on the highway. Its great to be able to get moving without having to rev the heck out of the engine. I also like how quiet the ML is on the road and at idle.

I'll be curious to see where the average MPG lands. My buddy is averaging over 30mpg in his new S-4Matic with the same engine. Of course, the S should have a bit better drag coefficient...

Stoneseller

Towed my trailer for the first time yesterday. I'm still using the wireless brake controller, and the vehicle performed wonderfully. I could barely tell I had about 2 tons dragging behind me.

AND no more flashing LED's

AVB

On my 2013 350BT, I see around 22 MPG with mixed city / highway driving, 25 MPG when mostly highway, and 10.5 MPG when towing a 5,000 lb trailer. Is this about typical for others here?

N4HHE

I got an average of 11 MPG (with calculator) over 880 miles pulling this trailer with W164 at 65 MPH. Cutting cross country got 10 MPG. The return through hilly interstate was 13 MPG. All MPG's with calculator at the pump unless stated otherwise.

Estimate 4500 pounds (3 dirtbikes and gear for a weekend). Load distributing hitch. Trailer brake controller. It drove very nice. Better than w/o trailer.



This will do 21 MPG with 2 motorcycles at 70 MPH. 29 MPG w/o trailer. Or 31 MPG w/o trailer at 60 MPH with winter diesel:



This was fun to do once. Had nothing better to do than spend an extra hour or two enjoying my nice car on a 500 mile day. Why pay for extra fuel to enjoy your nice car less? After 1017 miles the display claimed 35.4 MPG but calculator said 31:

DUTCH

My 2014 ML350BTC is flashing all kinds of error message in the cluster with the LED lights on my camper trailer. My Audi Q7 never had a problem with them, but the Mercedes-ML sure doesn't like them. I guess I'll need that adapter.

GregGebhardt

Hi Dutch.

I have not hooked up the Ranger yet, waiting till I get a few miles on the new engine. My Ranger Trail trailer has LED lighting, is it not going to play nice with my ML350? If not where do I buy what I need to get it to work.

DUTCH

I'm hoping the Tekonsha 20142 adapter will solve the problems. etrailer.com has them.

The trailer lights seem to be working just fine. It's just all the error messages in the instrument cluster that need to be put to sleep.

I'm missing my Q7 more and more as every day passes.

Shrdlu

Dutch, I seem to recall your mentioning once that your trailer is a "Klamper" (Australian-built trailer). Could the land of Oz have different LED specs that would confuse the MB signal acquisition module? I tow a generic (Forest River) cargo trailer, without an adapter, and have experienced no error messages, nor flashing LEDs.

DUTCH

Yes, tis an Australian Kimberley Karavan, but it's built to US electrical specs.

Begs the question, though. Why never any problems pulling it with my Audi Q7, but now have them with the ML?

GregGebhardt

I will be hooking up the boat this weekend and let you know. My LX pulled the trailer without any lighting problems.

DUTCH

Just received the Tekonsha 20142 Adapter. It completely solves the error messages in the instrument cluster; but since it connects between the trailer cable plug and the hitch socket on the ML, it hangs waaaayy low. I'm afraid that it will hang up on something. I'm going to see if I can bend the socket mount to raise things a bit.

GregGebhardt

I pulled the boat today of which the trailer has all LED lighting and it worked without flaw. Not even the first error message. Good to see you got your problem solved.

DUTCH

Thanks. I'm glad they're gone, too; but I do not like that low hanging plug!