MERCEDES-BENZ ML350 2003 W163 Owner's Manual

231 Practical hints
What to do if …
Warning!
G
Driving when your engine is badly overheat-
ed can cause some fluids which may have
leaked into the engine compartment to
catch fire. You could be seriously burned.
Steam from an overheated engine can cause
serious burns and can occur just by opening
the engine hood. Stay away from the engine
if you see or hear steam coming from it.
Turn off the engine, get out of the vehicle
and do not stand near the vehicle until it
cools down.Warning!
G
Do not spill antifreeze on hot engine parts.
Antifreeze contains ethylene glycol which
may burn if it comes into contact with hot
engine parts. You can be seriously burned.
!Do not ignore the coolant warning
lamps. Extended driving with the sym-
bol displayed may cause serious engine
damage not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
Do not drive without sufficient amount
of coolant. The engine will overheat,
causing major engine damage.

232 Practical hintsWhat to do if …Problem
Possible cause
Suggested solution
?
The yellow “CHECK ENGINE”
malfunction indicator lamp
comes on while driving.
There is a malfunction of:

The fuel management system


The ignition system


The emission control system


Systems which affect emissions
Such malfunctions may result in excessive
emissions values and may switch the engine
to its limp-home (emergency operation)
mode.

Have the vehicle checked as soon as
possible by an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center.
An on-board diagnostic connector is
used by the service station to link the
vehicle to the shop diagnostics sys-
tem. It allows the accurate identifica-
tion of system malfunctions through
the readout of diagnostic trouble
codes. It is located in the front left
area of the footwell next to the park-
ing brake pedal.
The fuel cap is not closed tightly.
Check the fuel cap (
page 200).
Your fuel tank is empty.

After refuelling start the engine three
or four times in succession.
The limp-home mode is canceled. You do
not need to have your vehicle checked.
7
The indicator lamp lights up.
A BabySmart
TM child seat is installed on the
front passenger seat. The front passenger
airbag is therefore switched off.
The system is malfunctioning when there is
no BabySmart
TM child seat installed on the
front passenger seat.

Have the system checked as soon as
possible by an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center.

233 Practical hints
What to do if …
7
The indicator lamp does not light
up with a BabySmart
TM child
seat properly installed on the
front passenger seat.
The system is malfunctioning.

Make sure that there is nothing be-
tween seat cushion and child seat and
check installation of the child seat
(page 63).

If the light remains out, have the sys-
tem checked as soon as possible by
an authorized Mercedes-Benz Light
Truck Center.
Do not use the BabySmart
TM restraint
to transport children on the front pas-
senger seat until the system has been
repaired.
The yellow fuel tank reserve
warning lamp lights up while
driving.
The fuel level has gone below the reserve
mark.

Refuel at the next gas station
(page 200).
#
The red charge indicator lamp
lights up when the engine is run-
ning.
The battery is no longer charging.
Possible causes:

alternator malfunctioning


broken poly-V-belt

Stop immediately and check the
poly-V-belt.
If it is broken

Do not continue to drive, before the
poly-V-belt is replaced.
Notify an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Light Truck Center.
Problem
Possible cause
Suggested solution

234 Practical hintsWhat to do if …<
The red seat belt warning lamp
blinks for a brief period after
starting the engine.
The warning lamp reminds you to fasten seat
belts.

Fasten your seat belt (
page 60).
W
The yellow low washer system
fluid level lamp lights up after
starting the engine or while driv-
ing.
There is approximately 1.3 US qt. (1.25 l) of
washer fluid remaining in the reservoir.

Add washer fluid (
page 208).
The washer fluid may have frozen

Move the vehicle to a warmer environ-
ment so that the washer fluid will
thaw.

Correct the concentration level after
the washer fluid in the reservoir
thaws.
2
The yellow brake indicator lamp
lights up during braking or after
starting the engine.
The brake pads are worn down.

Have the system checked at an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck
Center.
Problem
Possible cause
Suggested solution
!Brake pad thickness must be visually
checked by a qualified technician at the
intervals specified in the Service book-
let.

235 Practical hints
What to do if …
Additional indicators in the speedome-ter displayDisplay
Possible cause
Suggested solution
9
Perform minor service (A) (
page 215).

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center to perform service.
´
Perform major service (B) (
page 215).

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center to perform service.
Á
î
The
StArt
message lights up in
addition to the
Error
message.
The immobilizer is not operational.

Contact an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center or call
1-800-FOR-MERCedes (in the USA),
or 1-800-387-0100 (in Canada).

236 Practical hintsWhere will I find ...?
Where will I find ...?First aid kit
ML 320, ML 350, ML 500
The first aid kit is stored in the liftgate.
Open and fold down panel1.
The first aid kit can be removed.ML 55 AMG
The first aid kit is stored inside the spare
wheel cover located in the rear cargo com-
partment.
1Cargo area cover blind
2Clamp
3Cover

Remove the cargo area cover blind1
(page 143).

Open the clamps2 and remove the
cover3.1Fixing strap
2First aid kit

Release the fixing strap1.
The first aid kit2 can be removed.
iCheck expiration dates and contents
for completeness at least once a year
and replace missing/expired items.

237 Practical hints
Where will I find ...?
Vehicle tool kit
The vehicle tool kit is stored in the cargo
area behind the right trim panel.
Turn handles1 90° in direction of ar-
rows.

Fold down the panel2.3Screw
4Vehicle jack with tool kit

Turn screw3 counterclockwise.

Remove vehicle jack.
Vehicles with CD-changer*
(page 238).
The jack is exclusively designed for lifting
the vehicle during a wheel change. Always
lower the vehicle on sufficient capacity
jackstands before working under the vehi-
cle.1Vehicle jack
2Wheel bolt wrench
3Screwdriver
4Interchangeable slot
Screwdriver3 is placed inside the wheel-
bolt wrench handle.

238 Practical hintsWhere will I find ...?Vehicle jack
Please also observe the safety guidelines
in the “Flat tire” section (
page 255)
when using the jack.
Vehicle with CD-changer*
To access the vehicle tool kit, swing the
CD-changer out of the panel.
1Screw
2CD-changer

Turn screw1 counterclockwise.

Swing the CD-changer2 out of the pan-
el.
Electric air pump (ML 55 AMG)
The electric air pump is located behind the
spare wheel.
Remove the spare wheel (
page 240).
1Electric air pump

Open the strap and remove the electric
air pump.
Warning!
G
The jack is designed exclusively for jacking
up the vehicle at the jack take-up brackets
built into both sides of the vehicle. To help
avoid personal injury, use the jack only to lift
the vehicle during a wheel change. Never
get beneath the vehicle while it is supported
by the jack. Keep hands and feet away from
the area under the lifted vehicle. Always
firmly set parking brake and block wheels
before raising vehicle with jack.
Do not disengage parking brake while the
vehicle is raised. Be certain that the jack is
always vertical (plumb line) when in use, es-
pecially on hills. Always try to use the jack
on level surface.
Make sure that the jack arm is fully seated
in the jack take-up bracket. Always lower
the vehicle onto sufficient capacity jack-
stands before working under the vehicle.

239 Practical hints
Where will I find ...?
Spare wheel (space-saver tire)
Use the spare wheel only temporarily,
while observing the following restrictions:

Do not exceed vehicle speed of
50 mph (80 km / h).


Drive to the nearest repair facility to
have the flat tire repaired or replaced
as appropriate.


Do not operate vehicle with more than
one spare wheel mounted.Removing spare wheel (except
ML 55 AMG)
The spare wheel is located behind the rear
bumper.
1Cover

Hold left and right side of cover1 and
pull away from bumper.2Screw
3Spare wheel carrier
4Lever

Turn screw2 counterclockwise using
the wrench (
page 237).
Screw2 remains in spare wheel
carrier3.

Lift spare wheel carrier slightly and
push lever4 to the right using screw-
driver (
page 237).

Swing spare wheel carrier down and
pull it out from under the bumper.
Warning!
G
The dimensions of the spare wheel are dif-
ferent from those of the road wheels. As a
result, the vehicle handling characteristics
change when driving with a mounted spare
wheel.iPlease comply with the instructions for
“Mounting the spare wheel”
(page 255).
Warning!
G
Exercise care when removing or installing
spare wheel to prevent personal injury.

240 Practical hintsWhere will I find ...?5Bayonet lock
Turn the bayonet lock 90° to the left.

Pull off bayonet lock5.

Remove the spare wheel cover and the
spare wheel.

Store bayonet lock5 and spare wheel
cover in cargo area.

Replace the spare wheel carrier and se-
cure it in place.

Fasten handle1 to the bumper.Removing spare wheel with collapsible
tire (ML 55 AMG)
The spare wheel is located on the left side
in the rear cargo compartment.
1Cargo area cover blind
2Clamp
3Cover

Remove the cargo area cover blind1
(page 143).

Open the clamps2 and remove the
cover3.
!When storing the space-saver spare
wheel in its holder, secure it using the
bayonet lock.