parking MERCEDES-BENZ ML350 2003 W163 User Guide

52 Getting startedParking and locking
Press the seat belt release button
(page 40).

Move the steering wheel slightly to al-
low the locking mechanism to engage.

After exiting the vehicle press the lock
button
‹
on the remote control
(
page 32).
The turn signals lamps blink three
times and the locking knobs on the
doors move down.More information on parking and locking
can be found in the “Controls in detail”
section (
page 84).
iThe key can only be removed from the
steering lock with the gear selector le-
ver in positionP.
With the key removed and the driver’s
door open, a warning sounds if the ve-
hicles exterior lamps are not switched
off.
Warning!
G
To prevent possible personal injury, always
keep hands and fingers away from the door
openings when closing the doors. Be espe-
cially careful when small children are
around.
Before closing doors, ensure that there is no
possibility of someone getting caught in a
door during closing.

74 Safety and SecurityDriving and safety systems
LOW RANGE 4-ETS
During off-road driving a special low range
system for the 4-ETS is operational with
transmission in LOW RANGE mode.
More information can be found in the
“Practical hints” section (
page 224) and
(
page 226).
EBP
The EBP enhances braking effectiveness
by allowing the rear brakes to supply a
greater proportion of the braking effort
without a loss of vehicle stability.
Warning!
G
When you see the 4-ETS/ESP-warning lamp v
flashing in the speedometer dial, then
proceed as follows:


While driving off, apply as little throttle
as possible.


While driving ease up on the accelera-
tor.


Adapt your speed and driving style to
the prevailing road conditions.
Failure to observe these guidelines could
cause the vehicle to skid.
The 4-ETS cannot prevent accidents result-
ing from excessive speed.
!The engine must be shut off when

the parking brake is being tested on
a brake test dynamometer.


the vehicle is being towed with the
front axle raised.
Otherwise, the 4-ETS will engage the
brakes and seriously damage the brake
system.
iIf the yellow 4-ETS malfunction indica-
tor lamp
{
comes on while the
4-ETS/ESP warning lamp
v
flashes,
the electronic traction system is being
switched off temporarily to prevent
overheating of the drive wheel brakes.

76 Safety and SecurityDriving and safety systemsLOW RANGE – ESP
During off-road driving a special low range
system for the ESP is operational with
transmission in LOW RANGE mode
(page 118).
In the LOW RANGE mode ESP operates in
a traction improving fashion specifically
adapted for off-road driving. At speeds be-low 27 mph (45 km / h), the ESP assists in
over-/understeering, thus improving vehi-
cle traction.
Switching off the ESP
To improve the vehicle’s traction, turn off
the ESP in driving situations where it would
be advantageous to have drive wheels spin
and thus cut into surfaces for better grip
such as:


starting out on slippery surfaces and in
deep snow in conjunction with snow
chains


in sand or gravel


when driving off-roadWhen the ESP is turned off


engine torque is not limited.


the drive wheels can spin.
This helps the wheels cut into surfaces
for a better grip.
!The engine must be shut off when

the parking brake is being tested on
a brake test dynamometer.


the vehicle is being towed with the
front axle raised.
Otherwise, the ESP will engage the
brakes and seriously damage the brake
system.
The ESP will only function properly if
you use wheels of the recommended
tire size (
page 279).
Warning!
G
The ESP should not be switched off during
normal driving other than in the circum-
stances described below. Disabling of the
system will reduce vehicle stability in stan-
dard driving maneuvers.
!Avoid spinning of a drive wheel for an
extended period with the ESP switched
off. This may cause serious damage to
the drivetrain which is not covered by
the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.iTurn ESP on immediately if the afore-
mentioned circumstances do not apply
anymore.

80 Safety and SecurityAnti-theft systemsArming tow-alarm and glass breakage
sensor
When you lock your vehicle, the tow-away
and glass breakage sensor alarm is auto-
matically armed.
Disarming tow-alarm and glass break-
age sensor
To prevent triggering the tow-away alarm
feature, switch off the tow-away alarm and
glass breakage sensor before towing the
vehicle, or when parking on a surface sub-
ject to movement, such as a ferry or auto
train.Vehicles with trip computer*
The buttons are located in the overhead
control panel.
1Reset button
2Mode button
3Display
4Glass breakage sensor

Turn key in steering lock to position1
(page 33).

Press button2.

Return key to position0 and remove it
from the steering lock.

Within 30 seconds press button1 or 2.
The display shows
OFF
.

Exit vehicle and lock vehicle with re-
mote control (
page 32).
The tow-away alarm and glass breakage
sensor remain switched off until the key is
inserted in steering lock and turned to
position1.

100 Controls in detailMemory function*Storing positions in memory
Adjust the seat (
page 36) and exteri-
or rear view mirrors (page 38) to the
desired position.

Push memory button2.

Release memory button and press one
of the position buttons1 within three
seconds.
All the settings are stored at the select-
ed position.
Recalling positions from memory
Press and hold one of the position
buttons1 until seat and rear view mir-
rors have fully moved to the stored po-
sitions.Exterior rear view mirror parking posi-
tion (passenger side)
For easier parking, you can adjust the pas-
senger exterior rear view mirror so that you
can see the right rear wheel as soon as you
engage reverse gearR.
!Do not operate the power seats using
the memory button if the seat backrest
is in an excessively reclined position.
Doing so could cause damage to front
or rear seats.iReleasing the button immediately
stops movement to the stored posi-
tions.

101 Controls in detail
Memory function*
Activating parking position
The buttons are on the lower part of the
center console.
1Deactivating parking position
2Activating parking position
3Adjustment button
Switch ignition on (if not already on).

Press button2.
The passenger side exterior rear view
mirror is selected.

Engage reverse gearR.
The passenger side exterior rear view
mirror moves automatically to the
stored parking position. The exterior rear view mirror returns to its
stored driving position:


10 seconds after you put the gear se-
lector lever in positionD


immediately once you exceed a speed
of approx. 6 mph (10 km/h)


immediately when you press the
button1 for driver’s side mirrorStoring parking position

Stop the vehicle.

Switch ignition on (if not already on).

Press button2.
The passenger side exterior rear view
mirror is selected.

Adjust the exterior rear view mirror
with button3 so that you see the rear
wheel and the curb.

Press memory button2 (
page 99).

Within three seconds, press bottom of
adjustment button3.
The parking position is stored if the
mirror does not move.
iIf the button1 is pressed, the automat-
ic passenger side exterior rear view
parking position is deactivated.
iIf the mirror does move, repeat the
above steps. After the setting is stored
you can move the mirror again.
The selected position will be stored rel-
ative to the position button1
(page 99) pressed.

102 Controls in detailLighting
LightingFor notes on how to switch on the head-
lamps (
page 46) and use the turn signals
(
page 47), see the “Getting started” sec-
tion.
Combination switch
The combination switch is on the left of the
steering column.
1High beam
2High beam flasherM
Off
U
Automatic headlamp mode
C
Parking lamps, license plate lamps
and instrument panel lamps
Canada only: With the engine run-
ning, the low beam headlamps
additionally switched on.
õ
Low beam or high beam headlamps
ƒ
Left or right standing lamps (sym-
bol on underside of switch)Switching on high beams

Turn the switch to
õ
.

Push the exterior lamp switch forward.
The high beam symbol
A
in the
instrument cluster lights up.
High beam flasher

Pull the combination switch briefly in
direction2.
iIf you remove the key and open the
driver’s door while the parking lamps or
low beam headlamps are switched on,
then a warning sounds.

103 Controls in detail
Lighting
Automatic headlamp mode
The parking lamps, low beam headlamps
and license plate lamps switch on and off
automatically depending on the brightness
of the ambient light.
Turn the combination switch to
U
.Daytime running lamp mode
Canada only:

Turn combination switch to
position
M
or
U
.
When the engine is running, the low
beam headlamps are automatically
switched on. In low ambient light con-
ditions the parking lamps will also
switch on.
When you shift from a driving position to
positionN orP, the low beam switches off
(3 minutes delay).
For nighttime driving you should turn the
combination switch to position
õ
to
permit activation of the high beam head-
lamps.
Warning!
G
In automatic headlamp mode, the head-
lamps will not be automatically switched on
under foggy conditions. To minimize risk to
you and to others, activate headlamps by
turning combination switch to
õ
.
The driver is responsible for the operation of
the vehicle’s lights at all times. The automat-
ic headlamp feature is only an aid to the driv-
er. Switch on the vehicle lights manually
when driving or when traffic conditions re-
quire you to do so.
iIf the automatic headlamp mode is ac-
tivated, the fog lamps can also be
switched on (
page 105). The low
beam headlamp and parking lamps are
activated simultaneously.
iIf you drive in countries where vehicles
drive on the other side of the road than
the country where the vehicle is regis-
tered, you must have the headlamps
modified for symmetrical low beams.
Relevant information can be obtained
at your authorized Mercedes-Benz
Light Truck Center.
iThe high beam flasher is always avail-
able.

104 Controls in detailLightingNight security illumination
When you turn off the engine and the last
door has been closed, the following lamps
will remain lit:

Parking lamps


Tail lamps


License plate lamps


Front fog lamps
The combination switch must be set to
position
U
(page 102).Deactivating night security illumination
temporarily

Before leaving the vehicle turn the key
in the steering lock to position0 then
turn it to position2 and back to0.
The night security illumination is deac-
tivated. It will reactivate as soon as you
reinsert the key in the steering lock.
Setting illumination time
1Switch for fog lamps

Stop the vehicle.

Make sure that the ignition is switched
on.
All the lamps in the instrument cluster
light up.

Turn combination switch to
position
M
.

Press upper part1 of switch until the
clock, located in the instrument clus-
ter, displays the actual illumination
time.

Press upper part1 of switch again.
Each time the switch is pressed, the il-
lumination time increases by
15 seconds. You can set the illumina-
tion time between 0 (off) and
60 seconds.
Approximately five seconds after pressing
the switch, the illumination time is set and
the clock is displayed again.
iYou can reactivate this function within
ten minutes by opening a door or the
liftgate.
If you do not open a door or the liftgate
after turning off the engine, the lamps
will automatically switch off after
60 seconds.

105 Controls in detail
Lighting
Locator lighting
During darkness, the following lamps will
come on when the vehicle is unlocked by
remote control:

Parking lamps


Tail lamps


License plate lamps


Front fog lamps
The combination switch must be set to
position
U
(page 102).
The locator lighting switches off when the
driver’s door is opened. It switches off au-
tomatically after a period of approximately
40 seconds.
Fog lamps
The switch is located on the upper center
console.
1Front fog lamps
2Indicator lamp
3Front fog lamps and rear fog lampSwitching on front fog lamps

Check that the low beam headlamps
are switched on.

Press upper part1 of switch.
The green indicator lamp
‡
in the
instrument cluster lights up.
Switching on front fog lamps and rear
fog lamp

Check that the low beam headlamps
are switched on.

Press lower part3 of switch.
The green indicator lamp
‡
in the
instrument cluster lights up in addition
to the yellow indicator lamp2 in the
switch.
Switching off front fog lamps and rear
fog lamp

Press lower part3 of switch.
The green indicator lamp
‡
in the
instrument cluster and the yellow indi-
cator lamp2 in the switch go out.
iThe fog lamps can be switched on with
combination switch in position
õ

or U. Consult your state Motor Regula-
tions regarding allowable lamp opera-
tion.