MERCEDES-BENZ ML320 2002 W163 Owner's Manual

278 Towing
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index
ML 320, ML 500The rear towing eye is located behind the right side
cover in the bumper panel.
2Towin g eye, rea r
Cover removal:
Using a flat blade screwdriver pry out the cover.
Cover installation:
Engage cover at bottom and press in top securely.
P88.20-2192-26

279 Towing
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index ML 55 AMG and vehicles with optional sport package.
The rear towing eye is located behind the right side
cover (1) in the bumper panel.
3Cover
4Tow i n g eye , r e a rCover removal:
Grip cover at bottom and securely pull out.
Cover installation:
Engage cover and press in securely.
We recommend that the vehicle be transported using
flat bed equipment. This method is preferable to other
types of towing.
The vehicle may be towed with all wheels on the ground
and the selector lever in position “N” for distances up to
30 miles (50 km) and at a speed not to exceed 30 mph
(50 km / h). The key must be in steering lock position 2.
Note:
The steering lock cannot be locked or unlocked and the
selector lever remains in position “P” if the battery is
disconnected or discharged (see page 273). See
page 281 for transmission selector lever, manually
unlocking.
Wa r n i n g !
In order to avoid possible serious burns or injury,
use extreme caution when removing the cover,
because the rear exhaust pipe is extremely hot.

280 Towing
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index
To be certain to avoid additional damage to the vehicle
powertrain, however you should do the following:
•With damage to front axle, raise front axle. Remove
flexible drive shaft between rear axle and transfer
case
•With damage to rear axle, raise rear axle and tow
vehicle with wheel lift or dolly placed under front
wheels.
•With damage to transfer case, remove flexible drive
shafts to the drive axles.
Note:
Always install new self-locking nuts when reinstalling
the flexible drive shaft.Caution!
If the vehicle is towed with the front axle raised, the
engine must be shut off (key in steering lock position 1).
Otherwise, the 4-ETS+ may become engaged which may
cause loss of towing control. Switch off the tow-away
alarm (see page 37) as well as the ESP (see page 225).
Note:
To signal turns while being towed with hazard warning
flasher in use, turn key in steering lock to position 2
and activate combination switch for left or right turn
signal in usual manner. Now deactivate the hazard
warning flasher, only the selected turn signal will
operate. Upon canceling the turn signal, the hazard
warning flasher must be activated again.
Wa r n i n g !
With the engine not running, there is no power
assistance for the braking and steering systems. In
this case, it is important to keep in mind that a
considerably higher degree of effort is necessary to
brake and steer the vehicle.

281 Towing
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index Transmission selector lever, manually unlocking
In the case of power failure the transmission selector
lever can be manually unlocked, e.g. to tow the vehicle.
To do so, insert a pin (1), e.g. ball point pen, into the
covered opening below the position “D” of the shift
pattern. While pushing the pin down, move selector
lever from position “P”.
After removal of the pin from the opening, the cover will
not close fully. Only after moving the selector lever to
position “D–” does the cover return to its closed
position.Stranded vehicle
Freeing a stranded vehicle, on which the wheels are dug
into sand or mud, should be done with the greatest of
care, especially if the vehicle is heavily loaded.
Avoid pulling the vehicle jerkily or diagonally, since it
could result in damage to the chassis alignment.
Never try to free a vehicle that is still coupled to a
trailer.
If possible, a vehicle equipped with trailer hitch receiver
should be pulled backward in its own previously made
tracks.
P27.60-2186-26
1

282 Exterior lamps
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index
Exterior lamps
Headlamp adjustment
Correct headlamp adjustment is extremely important.
Check and readjust headlamps at regular intervals and
when a bulb has been replaced.
For adjusting headlamp aim see page 290.Replacing bulbs
To prevent a possible electrical short circuit, switch off
lamp prior to replacing a bulb.
When replacing bulbs, install only 12 volt bulbs with
the specified watt rating.
When replacing halogen bulbs do not touch glass
portion of bulb with bare hands. Use plain paper or a
clean cloth.
Wa r n i n g !
Bulbs and bulb holders can be very hot. Allow the
lamp to cool down before changing a bulb.
Halogen lamps contain pressurized gas. A bulb can
explode if you:
• touch or move it when hot,
•drop the bulb,
• scratch the bulb.Wear eye and hand protection.
Wa r n i n g !
Because of high voltage in BiXenon lamps, it is
dangerous to replace the bulb of repair the lamp
and its components. We recommend that you have
such work done by a qualified technician.

283 Exterior lamps
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index Headlamp assembly (Halogen)
1Headlamp vertical / horizontal adjustment screw
2Headlamp vertical / horizontal adjustment screw
3Headlamp cover with locking tab
4High beam headlamp cover with locking tab
5Bulb socket for turn signal, parking, standing, and
side marker lamp6Electrical connector for low beam headlamp bulb
7Electrical connector for high beam headlamp bulb
P82.10-2756-26
6
P82.15-2082-26

284 Exterior lamps
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index
Headlamp assembly (BiXenon)
1Headlamp vertical / horizontal adjustment screw
2Headlamp vertical / horizontal adjustment screw
3Headlamp cover with locking tab
4High beam headlamp cover with locking tab
5Bulb socket for turn signal, parking, standing, and
side marker lamp6Electrical connector for BiXenon headlamp bulb
7Electrical connector for high beam headlamp bulb
P82.10-2756-26
P82.10-2805-26
6

285 Exterior lamps
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index Bulbs for high beam H7 55 W
Open hood.
Remove cover (4). Pull off electrical connector (7).
Unhook and move aside clamping ring. Remove bulb.
Insert new bulb (seating properly in cutouts of bulb
socket), mount clamping ring. Reinstall and push
electrical connector on securely. Reinstall cover (4).
Bulbs for low beam (only Halogen headlamps)
H7 55 W
Open hood.
Push down tab at top end of cover (3) and remove. Pull
off electrical connector (6). Unhook and move aside
clamping ring. Remove bulb.
Insert new bulb (seating properly in cutouts of bulb
socket), mount clamping ring. Reinstall and push
electrical connector on securely. Reinstall cover (3).BiXenon D2S 35 W
(optional; Canada only standard on ML 500)
Parking, standing, side marker and turn signal lamp
115 7 N A ( 3 2 / 3 c p b u l b )
Open hood.
Twist bulb socket (5) counterclockwise and pull out.
Push bulb into socket, turn counterclockwise and
remove.
Insert new bulb in socket, push in and twist clockwise.
Reinstall bulb socket.
Wa r n i n g !
Because of high voltage in BiXenon lamps, it is
dangerous to replace the bulb or repair the lamp
and its components. We recommend that you have
such work done by a qualified technician.

286 Exterior lamps
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index
Fog lamp assembly
The foglamps are located in the front bumper.
Check and readjust foglamps at regular intervals and
when a bulb has been replaced.
Removing fog lamp assembly:
Remove foglamp holder from bumper by pressing
locking tab of fog lamp holder using a suitable tool
(e.g. screw driver). Swing fog lamp holder out of bumper
and remove fog lamp from holder.1Bulbs for fog lamps
H8 35 W
2Ta b s
Remove connector from lamp (1), turn lamp socket
towards left and pull out. Remove bulb.
Insert new bulb into lamp socket and insert into
housing. Turn socket towards right.
During fog lamp installation, make sure that fog lamp
tabs (2) firmly seat into the slots of the holder.
P82.10-2764-26

287 Exterior lamps
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index Taillamp assemblies
1Stop lamp (1073 [32 cp bulb])
2Backup lamp (1073 [32 cp bulb])
3Turn signal lamp (P Y 21 W bulb)
4Tail, parking, standing lamp, driver’s side rear fog
lamp (P 21 / 4 W bulb)
5Side marker lamp W 5 WOpen liftgate.
Remove screws (1).
Remove taillamp.
Note.
Spacers are used under the taillamp mounting tabs.
During reinstallation make sure that the spacers are
properly installed onto the screws.
P82.10-2755-26