battery MERCEDES-BENZ ML350 2003 W163 Owner's Guide

269 Practical hints
Towing the vehicle
Front towing eye
The front towing eye is located on the pas-
senger side below the bumper.
1Towing eyeRear towing eye The rear towing eye is located behind the
right side cover in the bumper panel.
ML 320, ML 350, ML 5001Cover
2Towing eye
To remove cover:
Pry out the cover1 using a flat blade
screwdriver (
page 237).
To reinstall cover:

Engage cover at bottom and press in
top securely.
iThe selector lever will remain locked in
positionP and the key will not turn in
the steering lock if the battery is dis-
connected or discharged. See notes on
the battery (
page 261) or on jump
starting (
page 264).
Manual unlocking of transmission se-
lector lever (page 245)
Warning!
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.

281 Technical data
Electrical system
Electrical system
Model
ML 320, ML 350
ML 500
ML 55 AMG
Generator (alternator)
14 V/120 A
14 V/150 A
14 V/150 A
Starter motor
12 V/1.7 kW
12 V/1.7 kW
12 V/1.7 kW
Battery
12 V/100 Ah
12 V/100 Ah
12 V/100 Ah
Spark plugs
Bosch F 8 DPP332
Bosch F 8 DPER
Bosch F 8 DPP332
Bosch F 8 DPER
NGK PFR 5-11
Electrode gap
0.039 in (1.0 mm)
0.039 in (1.0 mm)
0.039 in (1.0 mm)
Tightening torque
15 – 22 ft.lb (20 – 30 Nm)
15 – 22 ft.lb (20 – 30 Nm)
15 – 22 ft.lb (20 – 30 Nm)

296 Technical termsRON
(R
esearch O
ctane N
umber)
The Research Octane Number for gaso-
line as determined by a standardized
method. It is an indication of a gaso-
line's ability to resist undesired detona-
tion (knocking). The average of both
the ->MON (Motor Octane Number)
and RON (Research Octane Number) is
posted at the pump, also known as AN-
TI-KNOCK INDEX.
Shift lock
When the vehicle is parked, this lock
prevents the transmission selector le-
ver from being moved out of positionP
without key turned and brake pedal de-
pressed.
SRS
(S
upplemental R
estraint S
ystem)
Seat belts, emergency tensioning de-
vice and airbags. Though independent
systems, they are closely interfaced to
provide effective occupant protection.Tele Aid System*
(T
elematic A
larm I
dentification on
D
emand)
The Tele Aid system consists of three
types of response: automatic and man-
ual emergency, roadside assistance
and information. Tele Aid is initially ac-
tivated by completing a subscriber
agreement and placing an acquain-
tance call.
The Tele Aid system is operational pro-
viding that the vehicle’s battery is
charged, properly connected, not dam-
aged and cellular and GPS coverage is
available.
Telematics*
A combination of the terms “telecom-
munications” and “informatics”.
Tightening torque
Force times lever arm (e.g. a lug
wrench) with which threaded fasteners
such as wheel bolts are tightened.Tire speed rating
Part of tire designation; indicates the
speed range for which a tire is ap-
proved.
Traction
Force exerted by the vehicle on the
road via the tires.
Transfer case
Speed of rotation/torque converter
that works together with the ->auto-
matic transmission. In the LOW mode
off-road position, the transfer case de-
creases the output rotational speed of
the ->automatic transmission by ap-
proximately half. This results in a corre-
sponding increase of torque on the
drive axles.
The vehicle then has nearly double the
driving force but drives only approxi-
mately half as fast.

301 Index
B
BabySmart
TM
Airbag deactivation system 65
Compatible child seats 65, 293
Self-test 66
BabySmart
TM airbag deactivation
system 293
Backrest tilt 35
Backup lamps 248, 251
Bulbs 248
BAS 73, 293
Malfunction indicator lamp 225, 226
Warning lamp 225, 226
Batteries, remote control
Changing 243
Batteries, vehicle 207
Battery discharged
Jump starting 264
Battery indicator lamp
Indicator lamp 233
Battery, vehicle 207, 261
Charging 262
Disconnecting 261
Reconnecting 262
Reinstalling 262
Removing 262Bi-Xenon headlamps* 293
Block heater 214
Blocking
Rear door window operation 69
Brake assist system (BAS) 293
Brake fluid 286
Brake lamp bulbs 248
Brake lamp, high mounted 248
Brake pad wear
Indicator lamp 234
Brakes 180
Warning lamp 228
Break-in period 178
Bulbs, replacing 247
Additional turn signals 247
Backup lamps 248
Brake lamps 248
Fog lamps 247
Front fog lamp 251
Front lamps 247
High beam 247
High mounted brake lamp 248, 252
License plate lamps 248, 252
Low beam 247
Parking lamps 247, 248, 250
Rear fog lamp 248Rear fog lamps 251
Rear side marker lamp bulbs 251
Side marker lamps 247, 248, 250
Standing lamps 247, 248
Tail lamp assemblies 248, 251
Turn signal lamps 247, 248, 250
C
CAC (Customer Assistance Center) 293
Calibrating compass 174
California
Important notice 11
Calling up
Service indicator 216
CAN system 293
Capacities
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc. 284
Cargo area cover blind* 143
Closing 143
Installing 143
Opening 143
Removing 143
Cargo area see Cargo compartment 85
Cargo compartment
Liftgate 85
Lighting 109
Tie-down rings 140

302 IndexCargo floor plates 144
Installing 144
Removing 144
Storing 144
Cargo tie-down rings 140
Catalytic converter 198
CD-changer* 238
Center console 27
Lower part 28
Upper part 27
Central locking
Automatic 89
From inside 89
Switch 90
Unlocking from inside 89, 90
Central locking switch 90
Certification label 276
Charge indicator lamp 233
Charging
Vehicle battery 262
Chart
Fuses 271
CHECK ENGINE malfunction indicator
lamp 232
Checking
Coolant level 201, 206Oil level 201, 203
Tire inflate pressure 201
Vehicle lighting 201
Checking weights
Trailer and vehicle 193
Checklist
Off-road driving 187
Returning from off-road driving 191
Child safety 63
Airbags 56
Infant and child restraint systems 54,
60, 63
LATCH child seat mounts 68
Child safety switch see Blocking of rear
door window operation 69
Cigarette lighter
Front center console 156
Cleaning
Cup holder 221
Gear selector lever 221
Hard plastic trim items 221
Headlamps 121
Headliner 221
Instrument cluster 221
Leather upholstery 222
Light alloy wheels 221MB Tex upholstery 222
Plastic and rubber parts 222
Seat belts 221
Steering wheel 221
Windows 220
Windshield 48
Wiper blades 220
Cleaning and care of the vehicle see
Vehicle care 217
Clock 26, 112
Closing
Glove box 152
Hood 203
Liftgate 88
Rear quarter windows* 136
Side windows 135
Sliding/pop-up roof 246
Sliding/pop-up roof* 137
Closing sliding/pop-up roof
In an emergency 246
Cockpit 22, 293
Combination switch 102
High beam flasher 47, 102
Turn signals 47
Windshield wipers 47

303 Index
Compass 173
Calibrating 174
Setting compass zone 174
Compass zone 174
Consumer information 291
Control and operation of radio
transmitters 197
Coolant 206, 287
Adding 206
Anticorrosion/antifreeze quantity 288
Checking level 206
Indicator lamp 230
Temperature 199
Temperature gauge 111
Coolant level
Checking 201, 206
Crossing obstacles 190
Cruise control 146, 293
Canceling 147
Driving downhill 147
Driving uphill 147
Fine adjustment 148
LOW RANGE mode 148
Saving current speed 147
Setting speeds 148Cruise control lever 146
Cup holder 154
Cleaning 221
In front seat armrest 155
In instrument panel 154
In rear centerconsole 155
Customer Assistance Center (CAC) 293
D
Daytime running lamp mode 103
Deactivating
Air conditioning (cooling) 129
Air recirculation mode 129
Alarm 79
Anti-theft alarm system 79
Automatic climate control 125, 127
Cruise control 147
Defrost 128
Engine 51
ESP 76
Front fog lamps, rear fog lamp 105
Hazard warning flasher 106
Headlamps 51
Immobilizer 78
Rear passenger compartment
ventilation and climate control 131Rear window defroster 131
Residual heat 130
Seat heater 91
Tow-away alarm 80
Tow-away alarm (vehicles with trip
computer*) 80
Tow-away alarm (vehicles without trip
computer) 81
Deactivating automatic central locking 89
Deep water see Standing water 185
Defogging
Windshield 128
Defrosting 128
Difficulties
While driving see Problems while
driving 49
With starting 45
Direction of rotation (tires) 210
Discharged battery
Jump starting 264
Disconnecting
Vehicle battery 261
Display
Engine oil level 204
Display in the speedometer 111

308 IndexInterior lighting 107
Activating automatic control 107
Deactivating automatic control 107
Manual operation 108
Reading lamps 108
Interior storage spaces 152
Armrest 153
Cup holder 155
Glove box 152
Storage compartment in front of
armrest 153
Storage compartment under front
passenger seat* 152
Intermittent wiping 122
J
Jack 237, 238
Jump starting 264
K
Key
Global locking 85
Global unlocking 85
Loss of 86
Positions in steering lock 33
Remote control with folding key 84
Unlocking liftgate 85Unlocking the driver’s door, fuel filler
flap 85
Key positions in steering lock 33
Key, Mechanical 242
Key, Remote control
Unlocking with 32
Kickdown 117, 294
L
Labels, identification 276
Lamp bulbs, exterior 247
Lamps, exterior
Front 247
Rear 248
Lamps, indicator and warning
4-ETS 224, 226
ABS 225
Adjustable steering column 229
AIRBAG OFF 59, 232
BAS 73, 225, 226
Battery indicator lamp 233
Brake pad wear 234
Brakes 228
CHECK ENGINE 232
Coolant 230
EBP 229Engine diagnostics 232
ESP 224, 225, 226
Front fog lamps 229
Fuel reserve 233
Instrument cluster ??–233
Low engine oil level 229
LOW RANGE 226
Low washer system fluid level 234
Seat belts 234
Service indicator 215
SRS 54, 227
Turn signals 25
LATCH child seat anchors 68
LATCH child seat mounts 68
Layout of poly-V-belt drive 277
Leather upholstery
Cleaning 222
Lever
For cruise control 146
License plate lamps
Replacing bulbs 248, 252
Liftgate
Closing 88
Opening 85, 87
Opening from inside 87
Opening from outside 87

312 IndexPower windows
Blocking of rear door window
operation 69
Side windows 134
Synchronizing 136
Practical hints
First aid kit 236
Fuses 271
Lamps in instrument cluster 224
Spare wheel 239
Towing the vehicle 267
Vehicle jack 238
Vehicle tool kit 237
Premium unleaded gasoline 286
Problems
While driving 49
With vehicle 18
Product information 9
R
Radio transmitters, control and
operation 197
Rain sensor 122, 123
Rapid seat heating
Switching off 91
Switching on 91
Reading lamp 29Reading lamps 108
Rear automatic climate control 131
Adjusting air volume and air distribu-
tion manually 132
Automatic mode 132
Rear bench seat
Foldable 93
Rear door window
Blocking operation 69
Rear fog lamp 248
Bulb 248
Switching off 106
Switching on 105
Rear lamp bulbs
Replacing 251
Rear parking lamp
Replacing bulbs 251
Rear passenger compartment ventilation
and climate control
Activating 131
Deactivating 131
Rear passenger compartment ventilation
and rear automatic climate control 131
Rear quarter windows 136
Opening 136Rear quarter windows*
Closing 136
Rear seats 93
Easy entry/exit feature* 95
Enlarging cargo area 93
Folding down backrest 93
Folding up 94
Folding up backrest 94
Fore and aft 93
Lowering 94
Third row* 96
Rear standing lamp
Replacing bulbs 251
Rear towing eyes 269
Rear view mirror automatic antiglare 119
Rear view mirrors see Mirrors
Rear window defroster 131
Activating 131
Deactivating 131
Rear window wiper 123
Rain sensor* 123
Rear window wiper/washer 48
Reconnecting
Vehicle battery 262
Refrigerant
Air conditioning 286

313 Index
Regular checks 201
Reinstalling vehicle battery 262
Remote control
Changing battery 243
Global locking 85
Global unlocking 85
Synchronizing 244
Unlocking liftgate 85
Unlocking the driver’s door, fuel filler
flap 85
Unlocking with 32
Remote control with folding key 84
Remote controls
Integrated 169
Remote door unlock
With Tele Aid* 167
Remote Vehicle Diagnostics 295
Removing
Head restraint 92
Vehicle battery 262
Wheel 257
Wiper blades 254
Removing spare wheel (except
ML 55 AMG) 239
Removing spare wheel (ML 55 AMG) 240Replacing
Backup lamp bulbs 251
Brake lamp bulbs 251
Bulbs 247
Front lamp bulbs 249
Front turn signal bulbs 249
Fuses 271
High beam bulbs 250
High mounted brake lamp 252
License plate lamp bulbs 252
Low beam bulbs 249
Rear fog lamp bulbs 251
Rear lamp bulbs 248, 251
Rear parking lamp bulbs 251
Rear side marker lamp bulbs 251
Rear standing lamp bulbs 251
Rear turn signal bulbs 251
Wiper blades 254
Replacing front fog lamp bulb 251
Reporting
Safety defects 19
Resetting
Service indicator (FSS) 216
Trip odometer 112
Residual heat utilization 130, 295Residual ventilation 130
REST (Residual engine heat utilization) 295
Restraint system 295
Restraint system see Infant and child re-
straint systems 63, 67
Restraint systems 54
Airbags 54
Child seat recognition 54
Child seats 54
Emergency tensioning device (ETD) 54
Lower anchors and tethers for children
(LATCH) 54
Seat belts 54
Returning from off-road driving 191
Rims 279
Roadside assistance 12
Tele Aid* 163
Rolling code programming 170
RON 200
RON (Research Octane Number) 296
Roof rack 145
Rotating wheels 212
Rubber parts
Cleaning 222

318 IndexTrip odometer display 111
Trunk see Cargo compartment 85
Turn signal lamps
Replacing bulbs 247, 248, 250
Turn signals 47
Additional in mirrors 247
Cleaning lenses 220
Front bulbs 247
Indicator lamps 25
Rear bulbs 248, 251
Turning off
Engine 51
U
Unlocking 32, 84
Centrally from inside 90
Driver’s door in an emergency 242
Driver’s door, fuel filler flap 85
Fuel filler flap 200
In an emergency 242
Transmission selector lever
manually 245
Vehicle in an emergency 167
With the remote control 32
Upgrade signals
Tele Aid* 166Uphill driving
Cruise control 147
Upholstery
Cleaning 222
Upshifting 114
Useful features 152
Ashtrays and cigarette lighter 156
Cup holder 154
Electrical outlet 158
Garage door opener 168
Interior storage spaces 152
Tele Aid* 159
Telephone* 158
Trip computer* 172
V
Vehicle
Locking 28
Locking in an emergency 243
Lowering 258
Proper use of 17
Service battery 261
Towing 267
Unlocking 28
Unlocking in an emergency 242
Vehicle and trailer weights and ratings 193
Vehicle battery 261Vehicle care 217
Cup holder 221
Engine cleaning 219
Gear selector lever 221
Hard plastic trim items 221
Headlamps 220
Instrument cluster 221
Leather upholstery 222
Light alloy wheels 221
MB Tex upholstery 222
Ornamental moldings 220
Paintwork 219
Parktronic* system sensor 220
Plastic and rubber parts 222
Power washer 218
Seat belts 221
Steering wheel 221
Tail lamps 220
Tar stains 218
Turn signals 220
Upholstery 222
Vehicle washing 219
Window cleaning 220
Wiper blades 220
Vehicle identification number (VIN) 276
Vehicle jack 238