seats MERCEDES-BENZ ML320 2002 W163 Owner's Manual

1 Contents
IntroductionProduct information .......................... 7
Roadside assistance ......................... 10
Where to find it ................................ 14
Reporting Safety Defects ................ 16Instruments and controlsInstruments and controls ............... 18
Center console .............................. 20
Overhead control panel ............... 21OperationVehicle keys ...................................... 24
Start lock-out .................................... 25
General notes on the
central locking system ............... 25
Central locking system ................... 26
Radio frequency
remote control .............................. 26
Unlocking the liftgate .................. 27
Panic button .................................. 28
Mechanical keys ........................... 29Doors ................................................. 30
Central locking switch .................... 32
Automatic central locking .............. 33
Emergency unlocking
in case of accident ...................... 33
Liftgate .............................................. 34
Antitheft alarm system ................... 36
Tow-away alarm and
glass breakage sensor ............... 37
Seats, front ....................................... 38
Manual seats ................................ 40
Power seats .................................... 41
Head restraint .............................. 42
Memory function ......................... 43
Heated seats ..................................... 46
Seat belts and
integrated restraint system ....... 48
Seat belts .......................................... 48
Seat belt nonusage
warning system ............................ 49
BabySmart
TM airbag
deactivation system ................... 55
Self-test BabySmart
TM without
special child seat installed ......... 55Supplemental restraint
system (SRS) ................................ 56
Emergency tensioning
retractor (ETR) ............................. 57
Airbags .............................................. 58
Safety guidelines for
the seat belt, emergency
tensioning retractor
and airbag ..................................... 66
Infant and
child restraint systems ................ 68
Adjustable steering wheel .............. 74
Inside rear view mirror .................. 75
Antiglare night position .............. 75
Exterior rear view mirrors ............. 77
Exterior rear view mirror,
electrically folding ....................... 79
Instrument cluster ........................... 82
Indicator lamps in
the instrument cluster ............... 84
Trip computer ................................... 89
Flexible service system
(FSS) .............................................. 94
Engine oil level indicator ................ 96
Exterior lamp switch ....................... 97

2 Contents
Headlamp mode ............................... 99
Night security illumination ......... 101
Locator lighting .......................... 102
Fog lamp switch ............................ 103
Hazard warning flasher
switch .......................................... 104
Headlamp cleaning system .......... 104
Windshield wiper/washer
switch .......................................... 105
Rear window wiper/washer ......... 106
Automatic climate control ............ 108
Dust filter ..................................... 111
Basic setting –
automatic mode .......................... 112
Programming the basic
temperature setting ....................113
Special settings ...........................114
Air volume, manual ....................114
Air distribution, manual ............114
Defroster/Windows fogged up on
the inside ......................................115
Air recirculation ..........................116
Economy mode ............................117Residual engine
heat utilization ............................ 117
Switching the
automatic climate control
on and off ..................................... 118
Switching off the
rear passenger compartment
ventilation and the
rear control panel ....................... 118
Rear passenger compartment
climate control .......................... 119
Manual setting of air volume
and air distribution in the rear
passenger compartment ............ 119
Rear passenger compartment
adjustable air outlets ............... 120
Rear window defroster ..................121
Power windows .............................. 122
Rear quarter windows .................. 125
Sliding/pop-up roof ....................... 126
Interior lighting ............................. 128
Sun visors ........................................ 131
Illuminated vanity mirrors ........... 131
Interior .............................................132Storage compartments,
armrest and cup holder ........... 132
Glove box ..................................... 133
Armrest in rear bench seat .......... 136
Ashtrays .......................................... 137
Lighter ............................................. 138
Split rear seat bench ..................... 139
Easy entry/exit feature ............. 142
Rear seat head restraints .......... 143
Third row seats .............................. 144
Removable cargo floor plates ....... 147
Enlarged cargo area ....................... 149
Cargo tie-down rings ..................... 150
Hooks ............................................... 151
Partition net .................................... 151
Loading instructions ..................... 154
Cargo area cover blind .................. 155
Telephone, general ........................ 157
Cellular telephone ......................... 157
Garage door opener ....................... 158

22 Contents - Operation
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
OperationVehicle keys ...................................... 24
Start lock-out .................................... 25
General notes on the
central locking system ............... 25
Central locking system ................... 26
Radio frequency
remote control .............................. 26
Unlocking the liftgate .................. 27
Panic button .................................. 28
Mechanical keys ........................... 29
Doors .................................................. 30
Central locking switch .................... 32
Automatic central locking .............. 33
Emergency unlocking
in case of accident ...................... 33
Liftgate ............................................... 34
Antitheft alarm system ................... 36
Tow-away alarm and
glass breakage sensor ................ 37
Seats, front ........................................ 38
Manual seats ................................. 40
Power seats ................................... 41Head restraint .............................. 42
Memory function ......................... 43
Heated seats ..................................... 46
Seat belts and
integrated restraint system ....... 48
Seat belts .......................................... 48
Seat belt nonusage
warning system ............................ 49
BabySmart
TM airbag
deactivation system ................... 55
Self-test BabySmart
TM without
special child seat installed ......... 55
Supplemental restraint
system (SRS) ............................... 56
Emergency tensioning
retractor (ETR) ............................ 57
Airbags .............................................. 58
Safety guidelines for
the seat belt, emergency
tensioning retractor
and airbag ..................................... 66
Infant and
child restraint systems ............... 68
Adjustable steering wheel ............... 74
Inside rear view mirror .................. 75Antiglare night position .............. 75
Exterior rear view mirrors ............. 77
Exterior rear view mirror,
electrically folding ....................... 79
Instrument cluster ........................... 82
Indicator lamps in
the instrument cluster ............... 84
Trip computer ................................... 89
Flexible service system
(FSS) .............................................. 94
Engine oil level indicator ................ 96
Exterior lamp switch ....................... 97
Headlamp mode ............................... 99
Night security illumination ......... 101
Locator lighting .......................... 102
Fog lamp switch ............................ 103
Hazard warning flasher
switch .......................................... 104
Headlamp cleaning system .......... 104
Windshield wiper/washer
switch .......................................... 105
Rear window wiper/washer ......... 106
Automatic climate control ............ 108
Dust filter ..................................... 111

23 Contents - Operation
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Basic setting –
automatic mode .......................... 112
Programming the basic
temperature setting ....................113
Special settings ...........................114
Air volume, manual ....................114
Air distribution, manual ............114
Defroster/Windows fogged up on
the inside ......................................115
Air recirculation ..........................116
Economy mode ............................117
Residual engine
heat utilization ............................117
Switching the
automatic climate control
on and off .....................................118
Switching off the
rear passenger compartment
ventilation and the
rear control panel .......................118
Rear passenger compartment
climate control ..........................119
Manual setting of air volume
and air distribution in the rear
passenger compartment ............119Rear passenger compartment
adjustable air outlets ............... 120
Rear window defroster ..................121
Power windows .............................. 122
Rear quarter windows .................. 125
Sliding/pop-up roof ....................... 126
Interior lighting ............................. 128
Sun visors ........................................ 131
Illuminated vanity mirrors ........... 131
Interior .............................................132
Storage compartments,
armrest and cup holder ............132
Glove box ......................................133
Armrest in rear bench seat ...........136
Ashtrays ...........................................137
Lighter ..............................................138
Split rear seat bench ......................139
Easy entry/exit feature ............. 142
Rear seat head restraints ......... 143
Third row seats .............................. 144
Removable cargo floor plates ...... 147
Enlarged cargo area ...................... 149
Cargo tie-down rings .....................150
Hooks ............................................... 151Partition net .................................... 151
Loading instructions ..................... 154
Cargo area cover blind .................. 155
Telephone, general ........................ 157
Cellular telephone ......................... 157
Garage door opener ....................... 158

38 Seats
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Seats, front
Caution!
Do not remove head restraints except when mounting
seat covers. For removal see page 45. Whenever head
restraints have been removed be sure to reinstall them
before driving.
Wa r n i n g !
Do not adjust the driver’s seat while driving.
Adjusting the seat while driving could cause the
driver to lose control of the vehicle.Never ride in a moving vehicle with the backrest
reclined. Sitting in an excessively reclined position
can be dangerous. You could slide under the seat
belt in a collision. If you slide under it, the belt
would apply force at the abdomen or neck. That
could cause serious or even fatal injuries. The
backrest and seat belt provide the best restraint
when the wearer is in an upright position and the
belt is properly positioned on the body.Never place hands under seat or near any moving
parts while a seat is being adjusted.
Wa r n i n g !
When leaving the vehicle always remove the key
from the steering lock, and lock your vehicle.Do not leave children unattended in the vehicle or
with access to an unlocked vehicle. Unsupervised
use of vehicle equipment may cause serious
personal injury.

39 Seats
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Important!
Prior to operating the vehicle, the driver should adjust
the seat height for proper vision as well as fore / aft
placement and backrest angle to insure adequate
control, reach, operation, and comfort. The head
restraint should also be adjusted for proper height. See
also airbag section on page 58 for proper seat
positioning.
In addition, also adjust the steering wheel to ensure
adequate control, reach, operation, and comfort.
Both the inside and outside rear view mirrors should be
adjusted for adequate rearward vision.
Fasten seat belts. Infants and small children should be
seated in a properly secured restraint system that
complies with U.S. Federal Motor Vehicle Safety
Standard 213 and Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety
Standard 213.
All seat, head restraint, steering wheel, and rear view
mirror adjustments as well as fastening of seat belts
should be done before the vehicle is put into motion.
Wa r n i n g !
Children 12 years old and under must never ride in
the front seat, except in a Mercedes-Benz
authorized BabySmart
TM compatible child seat,
which operates with the BabySmart
TM system
installed in the vehicle to deactivate the passenger
side front airbag when it is properly installed.
Otherwise they will be struck by the airbag when it
inflates in a crash. If this happens, serious or fatal
injury can result.
According to accident statistics, children are safer
when properly restrained in the rear seating
positions than in the front seating positions.
Infants and small children must ride in the back
seats and be seated in an appropriate infant or
child restraint system, which is properly secured
with the vehicle’s seat belt, fully in accordance
with the child seat manufacturer’s instructions.A child’s risk of serious or fatal injuries is
significantly increased if the child restraints are
not properly secured in the vehicle and the child is
not properly secured in the child restraint.

40 Seats
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Manual seats (ML 320)
We recommend to adjust the manual seat in the
following order:
1Seat, fore / aft
Lift handle (1), slide seat to desired position and
allow handle to reengage. Check for proper
engagement before driving. The position should be
as far rearward as possible, consistent with ability to
properly operate controls.2Seat cushion tilt
Raise lever (2), move seat cushion to desired
position. Release lever.
3Backrest tilt
Turn handwheel (3) until your arms are slightly
angled when holding the steering wheel.
4Head restraint height
Raising:
Pull up on head restraint.
Lowering:
Push button (4), located at top of seat back, and
push down on head restraint.
Adj ust he ad r estrain t to supp ort the back of t he head
approximately at ear level. The head restraint angle
can also be adjusted manually.
See page 45 for removing head restraints.

41 Seats
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Power seats (standard; optional on ML 320)
The slide switches are located on the entry side of each
front seat base.
The power seats are always in operational readiness.We recommend to adjust the power seat in the following
order:
1Seat, up / down
Press the switch (up/down direction) until
comfortable seating position with still sufficient
headroom is reached.
2Seat adjustment, fore / aft
Press the switch (fore / aft direction) until a
comfortable seating position is reached that still
allows you to reach the accelerator / brake pedal
safely. The position should be as far rearward as
possible, consistent with ability to properly operate
controls.
3Seat cushion tilt
Press the switch in the direction of the arrow until
your legs are lightly supported.
4Backrest tilt
Press the switch in the direction of the arrow until
your arms are slightly angled when holding the
steering wheel.

42 Seats
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Only minor personal adjustments, as described below,
should then be required.
For exterior rear view mirrors, see page 77;
inside rear view mirror, see page 75;
steering wheel adjustment, see page 74.
Note:
See page 43 for instructions on storing and recalling the
seat position.Head restraint
Raising:
Pull up on head restraint.
Lowering:
Push button (1) and push down on head restraint, see
also page 45.
Adjust head restraint to support the back of the head
approximately at ear level. The head restraint angle can
also be adjusted manually.
See page 45 for removing head restraints.
Wa r n i n g !
When leaving the vehicle always remove the key
from the steering lock, and lock your vehicle.The power seats can also be operated with the
driver’s or passenger door open. Do not leave
children unattended in the vehicle or with access
to an unlocked vehicle. Unsupervised use of vehicle
equipment may cause serious personal injury.

43 Seats
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Memory function
(optional; Canada only: standard on ML 500;
USA: standard on ML 55 AMG)
The memory and stored position buttons are located on
the entry side of each front seat base.
5Memory button
6Position buttonsStoring positions into memory
Three sets of seat and exterior rear view mirror
positions may be programmed into memory.
Together with the driver’s seat you can store the
exterior rear view mirrors. Adjust the seat and exterior
rear view mirror to the desired position. See page 41 for
seat and page 77 for exterior rear view mirror
adjustment.
For the front passenger seat you can store the seat
position.
Push memory button (5), release, and within 3 seconds
push position button “1”. A second and third set of
positions for the same seat can be programmed into
memory by pushing first memory button (5) and then
position button “2”, respectively “3”.
Wa r n i n g !
Do not activate the memory function while driving.
Activating the memory function while driving
could cause the driver to lose control of the vehicle.