ABS MERCEDES-BENZ ML320 2002 W163 Owner's Manual

3 Contents
DrivingControl and operation of
radio transmitters ..................... 164
The first 1 000 miles
(1 500 km) ................................. 165
Maintenance ................................... 165
Tele Aid ........................................... 166
Catalytic converter ........................ 178
Emission control ............................ 179
Steering lock ................................... 180
Starting and turning off
the engine .................................. 182
Automatic transmission ............... 183
Parking brake ................................. 191Driving instructions .......................192
Drive sensibly – save fuel .........192
Drinking and driving .................192
Pedals ...........................................192
Power assistance .........................193
Brakes ...........................................193
Driving off ....................................194
Parking .........................................195
Tires ..............................................195
Snow chains ................................199
Winter driving instructions ......199
Deep water .................................. 201
Passenger compartment ........... 201
Traveling abroad ........................ 201
Off-Road driving ............................ 202
Trailer towing ................................ 209
Cruise control .................................214Brake assi st system
(BAS) ........................................... 217
Antilock brake system
(ABS) ........................................... 219
Four-wheel electronic
traction system (4-ETS+) .......... 221
Electronic brake proportioning
(EBP) ...........................................222
Electronic stability program
(ESP) ...........................................223
Transmission control –
LOW RANGE mode ...................227
Parking assist
(Parktronic) ..............................230
What you should know
at the gas station .......................235
Check regularly and
before a long trip ......................238

4 Contents
Instrument cluster displayMalfunction and
indicator lamps in
the instrument cluster .............240
On-board diagnostic system –
Check engine malfunction
indicator lamp .............................240
Brake warning lamp .................. 241
Supplemental restraint system
(SRS) indicator lamp ..................242
Fuel reserve warning .................242Electronic stability program
(ESP) / Electronic traction
system (ETS) – warning lamp .. 243
BAS/ESP malfunction
indicator lamp ............................ 243
4-ETS malfunction
indicator lamp ............................ 243
LOW RANGE
indicator lamp ............................ 243
ABS malfunction
indicator lamp ............................ 244
Adjustable steering wheel –
indicator lamp ............................ 244
AIRBAG OFF
indicator lamp ............................ 244Seat belt warning lamp .............245
Charge indicator lamp ...............245
Low engine oil level
warning lamp ..............................246
Low engine coolant level
warning ........................................246
Low windshield and
headlamp washer system fluid
level warning lamp ....................247
Brake pad wear i
ndicator lamp ..............................247
FSS indicator ...............................247

84 Instrument cluster
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Indicator lamps in the instrument cluster
High beam
BAS malfunction, see page 243
ESP malfunction, see page 243
4-ETS+ malfunction, see page 243
ABS malfunction, see page 244
Brake pads worn down, see page 247
Engine oil level low, see page 246
Coolant level low, see page 246
Transmission in LOW RANGE mode,
see page 243ESP and 4-ETS+. Adjust driving to road
condition, see page 243
Brake fluid low, see page 241
EBP malfunction, see page 222
Parking brake engaged, see page 191
Front passenger airbag automatically
switched off, see page 55
Front fog lamp, see page 103
Steering wheel adjustment not locked,
see page 74
Fasten seat belts,
see page 245
Battery not being charged properly,
see page 245
SRS malfunction, see page 242
Fluid level for windshield and headlamp
washer system low, see page 247.
BAS
ESPABSLOW
RANGE
BRAKESRS

163 Contents - Driving
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
DrivingControl and operation of
radio transmitters ..................... 164
The first 1 000 miles
(1 500 km) ................................. 165
Maintenance ................................... 165
Tele Aid ........................................... 166
Catalytic converter ........................ 178
Emission control ............................ 179
Steering lock ................................... 180
Starting and turning off
the engine .................................. 182
Automatic transmission ............... 183
Parking brake ................................. 191Driving instructions .......................192
Drive sensibly – save fuel .........192
Drinking and driving .................192
Pedals ...........................................192
Power assistance .........................193
Brakes ...........................................193
Driving off ....................................194
Parking .........................................195
Tires ..............................................195
Snow chains ................................199
Winter driving instructions ......199
Deep water .................................. 201
Passenger compartment ........... 201
Traveling abroad ........................ 201
Off-Road driving ............................ 202
Trailer towing ................................ 209
Cruise control .................................214Brake assi st system
(BAS) ........................................... 217
Antilock brake system
(ABS) ........................................... 219
Four-wheel electronic
traction system (4-ETS+) .......... 221
Electronic brake proportioning
(EBP) ...........................................222
Electronic stability program
(ESP) ...........................................223
Transmission control –
LOW RANGE mode ...................227
Parking assist
(Parktronic) ..............................230
What you should know
at the gas station .......................235
Check regularly and
before a long trip ......................238

185 Automatic transmission
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Maneuvering
To maneuver in tight areas, e.g. when pulling into a
parking space, control the vehicle speed by gradually
releasing the brakes. Accelerate gently and never
abruptly step on the accelerator.
To rock a vehicle out of soft ground (mud or snow),
alternately shift from forward to reverse, while applying
slight partial throttle.
Rocking a vehicle free in this manner may cause the
ABS or traction system malfunction indicator lamp to
come on. Turn off and restart the engine to clear the
malfunction indication.Towing a trailer
If the transmission hunts between gears on inclines,
manually shift to a lower gear (select “4”, “3”, “2”
or “1”). A lower gear and reduction of speed reduces the
chance of engine overloading and / or overheating.
At very steep inclines, not manageable with selector
lever in position “1”, switch transfer case to LOW
RANGE, see page 227 for instructions on how to engage
LOW RANGE.
For instructions on trailer towing refer to page 209.
Wa r n i n g !
Getting out of your vehicle with the selector lever
not fully engaged in position “P” is dangerous.
Also, when parked on an incline, position “P” alone
may not prevent your vehicle from moving,
possibly hitting people or objects.Always set the parking brake in addition to shifting
to position “P”, see page 191 for parking brake. When parked on an incline, also turn front wheel
against curb.
Wa r n i n g !
When leaving the vehicle always remove the key
from the steering lock, and lock the vehicle. Do not
leave children unattended in the vehicle, or with
access to an unlocked vehicle. Children could move
the gear selector lever from position “P”, which
could result in an accident or serious injury.

188 Automatic transmission
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Briefly press selector lever in the “D +” direction:
The transmission will shift from the current gear range
to the next higher gear range.
Press and hold selector lever in the “D +” direction:
The transmission will shift from the current gear range
directly to gear range “D”.
Important!
With transmission in gear range “D”, “4” or “3”,
upshifting from 1st to 2nd to 3rd gear is delayed
depending on vehicle speed and engine temperature.
This allows the catalytic converter to heat up more
quickly to operating temperatures.During the brief warm-up period this delayed upshift
and increased engine noise might be perceived as a
malfunction. However, neither the engine nor
transmission are negatively affected by this mode of
operation.
The delayed upshift is effective with vehicle speeds
below 31 mph (50 km / h) at partial throttle and engine
temperatures below 95
°F (35
°C).
To prevent the engine from laboring at low RPM when
driving uphill gradients or with your vehicle heavily
loaded, the automatic transmission will downshift when
necessary to maintain engine RPM within the best
torque range.
Wa r n i n g !
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.

199 Driving instructions
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Snow chains
Use only snow chains that are tested and recommended
by Mercedes-Benz. Your authorized Mercedes-Benz
Light Truck Center will be glad to advise you on this
subject.
Snow chains should be used on all four wheels. With
only two chains available, they should be mounted on
the rear wheels. Follow the manufacturer’s mounting
instructions.
Snow chains should only be driven on snow covered
roads at speeds not to exceed 30 mph (50 km / h).
Remove chains as soon as possible when driving on
roads without snow.
When driving with snow chains, press the ESP control
switch to OFF, refer to page 225.
Model ML 55 AMG
Use of snow chains is not permissible with tire size
285 / 50 R 18.Winter driving instructions
The most important rule for slippery or icy roads is to
drive sensibly and to avoid abrupt acceleration, braking
and steering maneuvers. Do not use the cruise control
system under such conditions.
When the vehicle is in danger of skidding, move
selector lever to position “N”. Try to keep the vehicle
under control by corrective steering action.
Caution!
Do not use LOW RANGE mode when driving on ice or
packed snow. At speeds below 18 mph (30 km / h)
vehicle steering is adversely affected by the LOW
RANGE ABS, see page 220.
Road salts and chemicals can adversely affect braking
efficiency. Increased pedal force may become necessary
to produce the normal brake effect. We therefore
recommend depressing the brake pedal periodically
when traveling at length on salt-strewn roads. This can
bring road salt impaired braking efficiency back to
normal. A prerequisite is, however, that this be done
without endangering other drivers on the road.

200 Driving instructions
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
If the vehicle is parked after being driven on salt treated
roads, the braking efficiency should be tested as soon as
possible after driving is resumed while observing the
safety rules in the previous paragraph.
Winter driving
Have your vehicle winterized at your authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center before the onset of
winter.
•Change the engine oil if the engine contains an oil
which is not approved for winter operation. For
viscosity (SAE / CCMC class) and filling quantity,
see page 314.•Check engine coolant anticorrosion / antifreeze
concentration.
•Additive for the windshield washer and headlamp
cleaning system: Add MB Concentrate “S” to a
premixed windshield washer solvent / antifreeze
which is formulated for below freezing temperatures
see page 259.
•Test battery: Battery capacity drops with decreasing
ambient temperature. A well charged battery helps
to ensure that the engine can be started, even at low
ambient temperatures.
•Tires: We recommend M+S rated radial-ply tires on
all four wheels for the winter season. Observe
permissible maximum speed for M+S rated
radial-ply tires and the legal speed limit.
In winter operation, the maximum effectiveness of the
antilock brake system (ABS), the four wheel electronic
traction system (4-ETS+), the electronic stability
program (ESP), and electronic brake proportioning
(EBP) can only be achieved with M+S rated radial-ply
tires and / or snow chains recommended by
Mercedes-Benz. Snow chains maximize performance.
For driving instructions using snow chains see
page 199.
Wa r n i n g !
If the vehicle becomes stuck in snow, make sure
that snow is kept clear of the exhaust pipe and
from around the vehicle with engine running.
Otherwise, deadly carbon monoxide (CO) gases may
enter vehicle interior resulting in unconsciousness
and death.To assure sufficient fresh air ventilation, open a
window slightly on the side of the vehicle not
facing the wind.

202 Driving instructions
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Off-Road driving
Familiarize yourself with the vehicle characteristics and
gear changing before you attempt any difficult terrain
off-road driving. We recommend that you start out with
easy off-road travel.
Please read this chapter carefully before you begin
off-road travel.
Special driving features are available for specific kinds
of operation:
•LOW RANGE mode, see page 227
•LOW RANGE - ABS, see page 220
•LOW RANGE - 4-ETS+, see page 222
•LOW RANGE - ESP, see page 226
Engage the LOW RANGE mode before driving under
off-road conditions. For switching LOW RANGE mode on
and off see page 227.
Fasten items being carried as securely as possible, see
page 154.
We recommend to keep doors, liftgate, windows, and
roof closed whenever driving in off-road mode.Important!
Adjust vehicle speed to condition of terrain. The more
uneven, rutty and steeper the terrain, the lower the
speed should be.
Watch out for obstacles, such as rocks, holes,
tree-stumps, ruts.
Be especially careful when driving in unknown
territory. Eventually get out of the vehicle and scout the
path you intend to take.
Continuous and speedy driving in sandy soil overcomes
the vehicle rolling resistance, and helps to prevent the
vehicle from sinking into the ground.
Do not initiate jumps with the vehicle. It interrupts the
forward momentum of the vehicle.
Sand, dirt, mud and other material having friction
property, can cause exceptional wear and tear as well as
failure of the brakes.
In this case the brakes may be less effective or even fail
when you most need them. Always clean and check the
brakes following each off-road trip.

205 Driving instructions
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Driving downhill:
Select gear range “1” on the automatic transmission,
see page 183.
Drive downhill observing the same rules as driving
uphill.
Driving on embankments, slopes and other steep
inclines should only be done straight up or downhill, i.e.
in the line of gravity.
Do not drive along the side of a slope (danger of vehicle
rollover). If in doing so, the vehicle begins to show a
tendency to roll, immediately steer into a line of gravity
(straight up or downhill).Utilize the engine’s braking power when descending a
slope, observe the engine speed (do not overrev the
engine). Apply the service brake as needed.
The special LOW range ABS setting allows for precise
and brief (cyclical) blocking of the front wheels,
permitting them to dig into loose ground. Remember
that the front wheels when stopped, slide across a
surface, thus loose their ability to steer the vehicle.
Check the brakes after a lengthy downgrade drive.
Important!
Only apply the service brake if the vehicle travels
straight downhill, i.e. in the line of gravity.