battery MERCEDES-BENZ ML350 2003 W163 Owner's Manual

Contents
Loading.............................................. 139
Loading instructions..................... 139
Partition net* ............................... 141
Cargo area cover blind* ............... 143
Cargo floor plates ........................ 144
Roof rack*.................................... 145
Driving systems ................................. 146
Cruise control .............................. 146
Parktronic system*
(Parking assist) ............................ 149
Useful features .................................. 152
Interior storage spaces ................ 152
Cup holders.................................. 154
Armrest in rear seat bench .......... 155
Ashtrays and cigarette lighter ...... 156
Electrical outlet ............................ 158
Telephone* .................................. 158
Tele Aid* ...................................... 159
Garage door opener ..................... 168
Trip computer*............................. 172Operation......................................... 177
The first 1000 miles (1500 km) ......... 178
Driving instructions............................ 179
Drive sensibly – save fuel............. 179Drinking and driving ...................... 179
Pedals ........................................... 179
Power assistance .......................... 179
Brakes........................................... 180
Driving off ..................................... 181
Parking.......................................... 182
Tires .............................................. 182
Hydroplaning................................. 183
Tire traction .................................. 183
Tire speed rating ........................... 184
Winter driving instructions ............ 184
Standing water.............................. 185
Off-road driving ............................. 186
Trailer towing ................................ 192
Passenger compartment ............... 196
Driving abroad .............................. 197
Control and operation of radio
transmitters .................................. 197
Catalytic converter........................ 198
Emission control ........................... 198
Coolant temperature..................... 199
At the gas station ............................... 200
Check regularly and
before a long trip .......................... 201Engine compartment .......................... 202
Hood ............................................. 202
Engine oil ...................................... 203
Transmission fluid level ................ 206
Coolant ......................................... 206
Battery .......................................... 207
Windshield washer system and
headlamp cleaning system ........... 208
Tires and wheels ................................ 209
Important guidelines ..................... 209
Life of tire ..................................... 210
Direction of rotation ..................... 210
Checking tire inflation pressure .... 211
Rotating wheels ............................ 212
Winter driving ..................................... 213
Winter tires ................................... 213
Block heater (Canada only) ........... 214
Snow chains ................................. 214
Maintenance ...................................... 215
Clearing the service indicator ....... 215
Service term exceeded ................. 215
Calling up the service indicator .... 216
Resetting the service indicator ..... 216
Vehicle care ....................................... 217
Cleaning and care
of the vehicle ................................ 217

ContentsPractical hints.................................. 223
What to do if … .................................. 224
Lamps in instrument cluster ......... 224
Additional indicators in the
speedometer display .................... 235
Where will I find ...?............................ 236
First aid kit ................................... 236
Vehicle tool kit ............................. 237
Electric air pump (ML 55 AMG) .... 238
Spare wheel (space-saver tire) ..... 239
Unlocking/locking in an emergency .. 242
Unlocking the vehicle ................... 242
Locking the vehicle ...................... 243
Changing batteries ....................... 243
Fuel filler flap ............................... 244
Manually unlocking the
transmission selector lever .......... 245
Opening/closing in an emergency ..... 246
Sliding/pop-up roof* .................... 246
Replacing bulbs ................................. 247
Bulbs ............................................ 247
Replacing bulbs for front lamps.... 249
Replacing bulbs for rear lamps ..... 251
Adjusting headlamp aim ............... 253Replacing wiper blades ...................... 254
Removal ....................................... 254
Installation ................................... 254
Flat tire .............................................. 255
Mounting the spare wheel ............ 255
Battery ............................................... 261
Disconnecting the battery ............ 261
Removing the batteries ................ 262
Charging and reinstalling
batteries....................................... 262
Reconnecting the batteries .......... 262
Jump starting ..................................... 264
Towing the vehicle ............................. 267
Front towing eye .......................... 269
Rear towing eye ........................... 269
Stranded vehicle .......................... 270
Fuses ................................................. 271
Fuse box in engine
compartment ............................... 271
Auxiliary fuse box in front
passenger footwell ....................... 272
Technical data................................. 273
Spare parts service............................ 274
Warranty coverage ............................ 275
Loss of Service and Warranty
Information Booklet ..................... 275
Identification labels ........................... 276
Layout of poly-V-belt drive ................. 277
Engine ............................................... 278
Rims and tires ................................... 279
Rims and tires .............................. 279
Rims and winter tires* ................. 280
Spare wheel ................................. 280
Electrical system ............................... 281
Main Dimensions ............................... 282
Weights ............................................. 283
Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc. .......... 284
Capacities .................................... 284
Engine oils ................................... 286
Engine oil additives ...................... 286
Air conditioning refrigerant .......... 286
Brake fluid.................................... 286
Premium unleaded gasoline ......... 286
Fuel requirements ........................ 287
Gasoline additives ........................ 287
Coolants ...................................... 287

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.

45 Getting started
Driving
Starting difficulties
If the engine does not start as described,
carry out the following steps:
Turn key in starter to position0 and re-
peat starting procedure.
Remember that extended starting at-
tempts can drain the battery.

Get a jump start (
page 264).
If the engine does not start after several
starting attempts, there could be a mal-
function in the engine electronics or in the
fuel supply system.

Notify an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Light Truck Center.Parking brake
1Parking brake pedal
2Release handle

Release the parking brake by pulling on
handle2.
The indicator lamp
É
in the instru-
ment cluster goes out.
Driving

Place the gear selector lever in
positionD orR.

Release the brake pedal.

Carefully depress the accelerator
pedal.
!Ensure that the brake pedal is de-
pressed when starting the engine.
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. Children could release the parking
brake, which could result in an accident
and/or serious personal injury.
iWait for the gear selection process to
complete before setting the vehicle in
motion.

51 Getting started
Parking and locking
Switching off headlamps
Turn the combination switch to1
(page 46).
More information can be found in the
“Controls in detail” section (
page 102).
Turning off engine
Place the gear selector lever inP.

Turn the key in the steering lock
(page 33) to position0 and remove
it.
The immobilizer is activated.
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. Children could release the parking
brake and/or move the gear selector lever
from positionP, either of which could result
in an accident and/or serious personal
injury.
Warning!
G
Getting out of your vehicle with the selector
lever not fully engaged in positionP is dan-
gerous. Also, when parked on an incline,
positionP alone may not prevent your vehi-
cle from moving, possibly hitting people or
objects.
Always set the parking brake in addition to
shifting to positionP (
page 50).
When parked on an incline, also turn front
wheel towards the road curb.
iAlways set the parking brake in addi-
tion to shifting to positionP.!To prevent accelerated battery dis-
charge and a possible dead battery, al-
ways remove the key from the steering
lock.

78 Safety and SecurityAnti-theft systems
Anti-theft systemsImmobilizer
The immobilizer prevents unauthorized
persons from starting your vehicle.
Activating
Removing the key from the steering lock
activates the immobilizer.
Deactivating
Switch on the ignition by turning the key in
the steering lock to position2.
Anti-theft alarm
Once the alarm system has been armed, a
visual and audible alarm is triggered when
someone:

opens a door


opens the liftgate


opens the hood
The alarm will stay on even if the activating
element (a door, for example) is immedi-
ately closed.
The alarm system will also be triggered
when


someone attempts to raise the vehicle


unlocking and opening the driver’s
door with the mechanical key Arming the alarm system
The alarm system is armed after locking
the vehicle with the remote control. The
turn signal lamps blink three times to indi-
cate that the alarm system is activated. A
red lamp in the center console will blink af-
ter approximately 10 seconds when the
alarm system is completely armed
(
page 27).
iIn case the engine cannot be started
(vehicle’s battery is in order), the sys-
tem is not operational. Contact an au-
thorized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck
Center or call 1-800-FOR-MERCedes
(in the USA), or 1-800-387-0100 (in
Canada).
iIf the alarm stays on for more than
20 seconds, an emergency call is initi-
ated automatically by the Tele Aid sys-
tem (
page 159) provided Tele Aid
service was subscribed to and properly
activated.

86 Controls in detailLocking and unlocking
Loss of remote control with folding key
If you lose a remote control or the folding
key, you should do the following:
Have the remote control deactivated
by an authorized Mercedes-Benz Light
Truck Center.

Report the loss of the remote control or
the folding key immediately to your car
insurance company.

If necessary have the mechanical lock
replaced.
Your authorized Mercedes-Benz Light
Truck Center will be glad to supply you
with a replacement.
Opening the doors from the inside
You can open a locked door from the in-
side. Open door only when conditions are
safe to do so.
1Locking knob
2Inside door handle
Pull on door handle2.
If a door was locked, locking knob1
will move up.
!If you can no longer lock or unlock the
vehicle with the remote control, then
the batteries in the remote control are
discharged, the remote control is mal-
functioning or the vehicle battery is
drained.

Use the folding key to unlock or
lock the doors and the liftgate.


Check the vehicle battery
(page 261).


Replace batteries (
page 243).


Synchronize the remote control
(page 244).
If the remote control is malfunctioning,
contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Light Truck Center.

108 Controls in detailLightingManual control
Switching on front interior lamps
Press on lamp lens1 or2.
The respective lamp switches on.
Switching off front interior lamps

Press on lamp lens1 or2 again.
The respective lamp switches off.
Operating rear interior lighting with
rocker switch

Press on upper part5 of rocker switch.
The rear interior lighting goes on.

Press on upper part5 of rocker switch
again.
The rear interior lighting goes off.
If the switch is pressed while the rear
interior lighting is on, the function is re-
versed.
Operating rear interior lighting with
lamp lens
Rear interior lighting
Push on lamp lens (arrow) to switch
rear interior lighting on or off.Reading lamps in inside rear view
mirror
1Reading lamps
2Reading lamps on/off
Switching on reading lamp

Press button2.
Switching off reading lamp

Press button2 again.
iIf a lamp is switched on manually, it will
not go out automatically. This could
cause the battery to become dis-
charged.

109 Controls in detail
Lighting
Cargo compartment lamp
1Switched off
2Switched on continuously
3Automatic controlSwitching off cargo compartment lamp

Slide the switch to position1.
The cargo compartment lamp is
switched off, even when the liftgate is
opened.
Switching on continuous cargo
compartment lamp

Slide the switch to position2.
The cargo compartment lamp is
switched on continuously.Automatic control

Slide the switch to position3.
The cargo compartment lamp is
switched on and off by opening or clos-
ing the liftgate.
iTo prevent the vehicle battery from be-
ing discharged, make sure that the
switch is not in position2 when leaving
the vehicle.

130 Controls in detailAutomatic climate controlActivating
Moist air can fog up the windows. You can
dehumidify the air with the air condition-
ing.
Press button
°
again.
The indicator lamp on the button
°

goes out.
The air conditioning system uses the refrig-
erant R134A. This refrigerant is free of
CFCs which are harmful to the ozone layer.
Residual heat and ventilation
With the engine switched off, it is possible
to continue to heat or ventilate the interior
for up to 30 minutes. This feature makes
use of the residual heat produced by the
engine.
Activating
Turn the key in the steering lock to
position1.

Press button
°
(page 125).
The indicator lamp on button
°

comes on.Deactivating

Press button
°
.
The indicator lamp on button
°

goes out.
!If the
°
button on the automatic cli-
mate control panel starts to blink, this
indicates that the air conditioning sys-
tem is losing refrigerant. The compres-
sor has turned itself off. The air
conditioning cannot be turned on
again.
Have the air conditioning system
checked at the nearest authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center.
iHow long the system will provide heat-
ing depends on the coolant tempera-
ture and the temperature set in the
climate control. The blower will run at
lower speed regardless of the air vol-
ume control setting.
iThe residual heat is automatically
turned off:

when the ignition is switched on


after about 30 minutes


if the coolant temperature is too
low


if the battery voltage drops