Page 25 MERCEDES-BENZ ML350 2003 W163 Owner's Manual

16 IntroductionSymbols
SymbolsThe following symbols are found in this
Operator’s Manual:
* Optional equipment is identified
with an asterisk. Since standard
equipment varies between models,
the descriptions and illustrations in
this manual may differ slightly from
the actual equipment of your vehi-
cle.

This symbol points to instructions for
you to follow.

A number of these symbols appearing
in succession indicates a multiple-step
procedure.
 Page This symbol tells you where to
look for further information on a
topic.
This continuation symbol marks
an interrupted procedure which
will be continued on the next
page.
-> In the glossary of technical
terms, this symbol is used to
cross-reference term defini-
tions.
Display
Words appearing in the multi-
function display are printed in
the type shown here.
Warning!
G
Warning notices draw your attention to haz-
ards that may endanger your health or life,
or the health or life of others.!Highlights hazards that may result in
damage to your vehicle.iHelpful hints or further information you
may find useful.

23 At a glance
Cockpit
Item
Page
1
Hood lock release
202
2
Parking brake pedal
50
3
Parking brake release
50
4
Left cup holder
154
5
Combination switch

Turn signals


High beam
46
6
Cruise control lever
146
7
Instrument cluster
110
8
Hazard warning flasher
switch
106
9
Lever for voice control
system*, see separate
operating instructions
Item
Page
10
Windshield wiper/washer
switch
122
11
Front Parktronic* warning
indicator
150
12
Glove box
152
13
Right cup holder
154
14
Storage compartment
15
Electrical outlet
158
16
Horn
17
Headlamp washer button*
121
18
Steering lock with ignition
33
19
Steering wheel adjustment
stalk
37

25 At a glance
Instrument cluster
Item
Page
1
Gauge for
Coolant tempera-
ture
111
Outside tempera-
ture
112
Fuel with fuel re-
serve warning lamp
233
2
Knob for
Activating instru-
ment cluster
110
Adjusting intensity
of instrument lamps
110
Main odometer
111
Trip odometer read-
out/reset
112
Flexible Service
System (FSS)
215
Item
Page
3
Left indicator lamps
with:¿
Brake Assist Sys-
tem (BAS)/Elec-
tronic Stability
Program (ESP) mal-
function warning
lamp
225
{
Electronic Traction
System (4-ETS) mal-
function indicator
lamp
226
-
Antilock Brake Sys-
tem (ABS) malfunc-
tion indicator lamp
225
2
Brake pad wear in-
dicator lamp
234
:
Low engine oil level
warning lamp
229
Item
Page
/
Low engine coolant
level warning lamp
230
ê
Low range indicator
lamp
226
?
Engine malfunction
indicator lamp
232
4
Speedometer with:v
4-ETS (Electronic
Traction Sys-
tem)/Electronic
Stability Program
(ESP) warning lamp
224
Trip/main odome-
ter
111
Flexible Service
System (FSS)
215
Engine oil level indi-
cator
204

26 At a glanceInstrument cluster
Item
Page
5
Photo sensor
(adjusts the brightness of
the digital displays located
in 1, 4 and 8)
6
Right indicator lamps
with:W
Low wind-
shield/headlamp
washer system fluid
level warning lamp
234
7
Front passenger air-
bag switched off
232
‡
Front fog lamp
switched on
105
Item
Page
_
Steering wheel ad-
justment not locked
229
<
Seat belt nonusage
warning lamp
234
1
Supplemental Re-
straint System
(SRS) indicator
227
É
Brake warning lamp
228
229
#
Charge indicator
lamp
233
A
High beam head-
lamp switched on
47
Item
Page
7
Knob for setting clock
112
8
Tachometer with:
Selector lever
position
114
Clock
112
9
K
Turn signal
indicator lamp right
10
L
Turn signal
indicator lamp left

27 At a glance
Center console
Center console
Upper part
Item
Page
1
Air outlets, automatic
climate control
132
2
MCS, see separate
operating instructions
3
Automatic climate control
124
Rear window defroster
switch
131
4
Seat heater switch*,
passenger side
91
5
Rear quarter window
switch*, right
136
6
ESP control switch
75
Item
Page
7
Rear window wiper/wash-
er switch
123
8
Rear quarter window
switch*, left
136
9
Seat heater switch*,
driver’s side
91
10
Front and rear fog lamp
switch
105
11
Indicator lamp for antitheft
alarm system
78
12
Transmission control
switch, LOW RANGE mode
118

28 At a glanceCenter consoleLower part
Item
Page
1
Ashtray with cigarette
lighter
156
2
Selector lever for
automatic transmission
44
3
Power window switch, right
front door
134
4
Power window switch, right
rear door
134
5
Parking assist* (Parktron-
ic) deactivation switch
149
6
Storage compartment with
cup holder
154
Item
Page
7
Exterior rear view mirror
adjustment switch
38
Exterior rear view mirror
electrically folding*
120
8
Central locking switch
89
9
Power window switch, left
rear door
134
10
Switch for rear door win-
dow override
69
11
Power window switch, left
front door
134

29 At a glance
Overhead control panel
Overhead control panel
Item
Page
1
Front left interior lighting
107
2
Signal transmitter keys for
garage door opener
168
3
Front right interior lighting
107
4
Roadside Assistance
button
163
Information button
165
5
Interior lighting control
107
6
Trip computer* display
172
7
Rear view mirror
119
Item
Page
8
Right reading lamp on/off
108
9
Automatic antiglare func-
tion* on/off
119
10
Left reading lamp on/off
108
11
Glass breakage sensor
79
12
Trip computer* control
172
Tow-away alarm switch
80
13
Tele Aid (emergency call
system) button
163
14
Sliding/pop-up roof*
switch
137

32 Getting startedUnlockingThe “Getting started” section provides an
overview of the vehicle’s most basic func-
tions. First-time Mercedes-Benz owners
should pay special attention to the infor-
mation given here.
If you are already familiar with the basic
functions described here, the “Controls in
detail” section will help you with further in-
formation. The corresponding page refer-
ences are at the end of each segment.
UnlockingRemote control with folding keyRemote control with folding key1Â
Panic button (
page 70)
2
Œ
Unlock button
3
‹
Lock button
4Release button for key
5
Š
Unlock button for liftgate

Press unlock button
Œ
on the re-
mote control.
The indicator lamps light up for a short
time. The locking knobs in the doors
move up.

Press release button4 on the remote
control.
The key folds out.

Get in the vehicle and insert the key in
the steering lock (
page 33).
More information can be found in the
“Controls in detail” section (
page 84).

33 Getting started
Unlocking
Steering lock positions
Steering lock0For removing key
The steering is locked when the key is
removed from the steering lock. If nec-
essary, move steering wheel slightly to
allow the locking mechanism to en-
gage.
1Unlocking steering. Power supplies to
some electrical consumers, such as
seat adjustment
2Ignition (power supply for all electrical
consumers) and driving position (selec-
tor lever is unlocked)
3Starting positionMore information can be found in the
“Controls in detail” section (
page 84).
Warning!
G
When leaving the vehicle always remove the
key from the steering lock and lock the vehi-
cle. Do not leave children unattended in the
vehicle, or with access to an unlocked vehi-
cle. Unsupervised use of vehicle equipment
may cause an accident and/or serious per-
sonal injury.
!To prevent accelerated battery dis-
charge and a possible dead battery, al-
ways remove the key from the steering
lock.iThe key can only be withdrawn in
position0.
If necessary, move steering wheel
slightly to allow the key to be turned
clockwise to position1.
A warning sounds when the driver’s
door is opened and the key is in steer-
ing lock position0 or1.

34 Getting startedAdjusting
AdjustingSeats
Depending on the vehicle’s equipment,
you can adjust the seats manually or elec-
trically.Warning!
G
All seat, head restraint, steering wheel, and
rear view mirror adjustments, as well as fas-
tening of seat belts, must be done before
the vehicle is put into motion.Warning!
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 seat
back reclined. Sitting in an excessively re-
clined 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 fatal injuries.
The seat back and seat belts provide the
best restraint when the wearer is in an up-
right position and belts are properly posi-
tioned on the body. Your seat must be
adjusted so that you can correctly fasten
your seat belt (
page 40).
Never place hands under the seat or near
any moving parts while a seat is being ad-
justed.
Warning!
G
When leaving the vehicle always remove the
key from the steering lock and lock your ve-
hicle.
Do not leave children unattended in the ve-
hicle or with access to an unlocked vehicle.
Unsupervised use of vehicle equipment may
cause an accident and/or serious personal
injury.
Warning!
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 ve-
hicle to deactivate the passenger side front
airbag when it is properly installed. Other-
wise they will be struck by the airbag when
it inflates in a crash. If this happens, serious
or fatal injury will result.
According to accident statistics, children
are safer when properly restrained in the
rear seating positions than in the front seat-
ing positions. Infants and small children
must ride in back seats and be seated in an
appropriate infant or child restraint system,
which is properly secured with the vehicle's
seat belt and top tether strap, or secured via
lower anchors and top tether strap, fully in
accordance with the child seat manufactur-
er’s instructions.