low range MERCEDES-BENZ ML350 2003 W163 Owner's Manual

Contents
Tow-away alarm,
glass breakage sensor.................... 79
Controls in detail............................... 83
Locking and unlocking ......................... 84
Remote control with folding key ..... 84
Opening the doors
from the inside ............................... 86
Opening the liftgate........................ 87
Closing the liftgate ......................... 88
Automatic central locking .............. 89
Locking and unlocking
from the inside ............................... 90
Seats.................................................... 91
Seat heater*................................... 91
Removing and installing
head restraints ............................... 92
Rear seats ...................................... 93
Third row seats* ............................. 96
Memory function*................................ 99
Storing positions in memory ........ 100
Recalling positions from memory . 100
Exterior rear view mirror parking
position (passenger side) ............. 100Lighting.............................................. 102
Combination switch ..................... 102
Fog lamps .................................... 105
Hazard warning flasher ................ 106
Interior lighting............................. 107
Instrument cluster ............................. 110
Instrument cluster illumination .... 110
Coolant temperature gauge ......... 111
Display in the speedometer ......... 111
Resetting trip odometer ............... 112
Tachometer .................................. 112
Outside temperature indicator ..... 112
Setting the clock .......................... 112
Automatic transmission ..................... 113
One-touch gearshifting................. 113
Gear ranges.................................. 114
Gear selector lever position ......... 115
Accelerator position ..................... 117
Towing a trailer ............................ 117
Emergency operation (Limp Home
Mode)........................................... 117
Transmission control –
LOW RANGE mode............................. 118
Switching on LOW RANGE mode .. 118
Switching off LOW RANGE mode . 118Good visibility .................................... 119
Rear view mirror .......................... 119
Headlamp cleaning system* ........ 121
Windshield wipers ........................ 122
Rear window wiper....................... 123
Sun visor ...................................... 123
Automatic climate control ................. 124
Automatic mode .......................... 126
Adjusting air volume and air
distribution manually ................... 127
Defrosting .................................... 128
Air recirculation mode.................. 128
Air conditioning ............................ 129
Residual heat and ventilation ....... 130
Rear window defroster ................. 131
Rear passenger compartment
ventilation and rear automatic
climate control ............................. 131
Front and rear air outlets ............. 132
Power windows.................................. 134
Opening and closing the side
windows ....................................... 134
Rear quarter windows* ................ 136
Sliding/pop-up roof* ......................... 137
Opening and closing the
sliding/pop-up roof ...................... 137

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

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

72 Safety and SecurityDriving and safety systemsBraking
At the instant one of the wheels is about to
lock up, a slight pulsation can be felt in the
brake pedal, indicating that the ABS is in
the regulating mode. 
Keep firm and steady pressure on the
brake pedal while experiencing the pul-
sation.
Emergency brake maneuver

Keep continuous full pressure on the
brake pedal.LOW RANGE– ABS
During off-road driving a special low range
system for the antilock brake system (ABS)
is operational with transmission in LOW
RANGE mode (
page 118).
When applying the service brakes at
speeds below approximately
18 mph (30 km / h), the front wheels are
locked cyclically to shorten the braking
distance (dig in effect). This affects steer-
ing the vehicle.
More information can be found in the
“Practical hints” section (
page 225).
iWith the ABS malfunctioning, the BAS,
EBP ESP and 4-ETS are also switched
off.
Normal driving and braking functions
are still available.
Warning!
G
The ABS cannot prevent the natural laws of
physics from acting on the vehicle, nor can
it increase braking or steering efficiency be-
yond that afforded by the condition of the
vehicle brakes and tires or the traction af-
forded. The ABS cannot prevent accidents,
including those resulting from excessive
speed in turns, following another vehicle too
closely, or aquaplaning. Only a safe, atten-
tive, and skillful driver can prevent acci-
dents. The capabilities of an ABS equipped
vehicle must never be exploited in a reck-
less or dangerous manner which could jeop-
ardize the user’s safety or the safety of
others.

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.

83 Controls in detail
Locking and unlocking
Seats
Memory function*
Lighting
Instrument cluster
Automatic transmission
Transmission control – LOW RANGE mode
Good visibility
Automatic climate control
Power windows
Sliding/pop-up roof*
Loading
Driving systems
Useful features

113 Controls in detail
Automatic transmission
Automatic transmission
Information for driving with an automatic
transmission is found in the “Getting start-
ed” section (
page 44).
Your transmission adapts its gear shifting
process to your individual driving style by
continually adjusting the shift points up or
down. These shift point adjustments are
performed based on current operating and
driving conditions.
If the operating conditions change, the au-
tomatic transmission reacts by adjusting
its gear shift program.
The automatic transmission selects indi-
vidual gears automatically, dependent
upon


the selector lever positionD with gear
ranges4, 3, 2, 1


the position of the accelerator pedal
(page 117)


the vehicle speedWhen the selector lever is in positionD,
you can influence transmission shifting by


limiting the gear range


changing gears yourself
One-touch gearshifting
Even with an automatic transmission you
can change the gears yourself when the
selector lever is in positionD.
Downshifting
Briefly press the selector lever to the
left in the D–direction.
The transmission will shift from the cur-
rent gear to the next lower gear. This
action simultaneously limits the gear
range of the transmission
(page 114).
Warning!
G
It is dangerous to shift the selector lever out
ofP orN if the engine speed is higher than
idle speed. If your foot is not firmly on the
brake pedal, the vehicle could accelerate
quickly forward or reverse. You could lose
control of the vehicle and hit someone or
something. Only shift into gear when the en-
gine is idling normally and when your right
foot is firmly on the brake pedal.
Warning!
G
On slippery road surfaces, never downshift
in order to obtain braking action. This could
result in drive wheel slip and reduced vehi-
cle control. Your vehicle’s ABS will not pre-
vent this type of loss of control.

114 Controls in detailAutomatic transmissionUpshifting
Briefly press the selector lever to the
right in the D+direction.
The transmission will shift from the cur-
r e n t g e a r t o t h e n e x t h i g h e r g e a r a s p e r -
mitted by the shift program. This action
simultaneously extends the gear range
of the transmission.Canceling gear range limit

Press and hold the selector lever in the
D+direction until D reappears in the
tachometer display field.
Shifting into optimal gear range

Press and hold the gear selector lever
in the D– direction.
The transmission will automatically se-
lect the gear range suited for optimal
acceleration and deceleration. This will
involve shifting down one or more
gears.
Gear ranges
With the selector lever in positionD, you
can limit the transmission’s gear range by
pressing the lever to the left (D-), and re-
verse the gear range limit by pressing the
lever to the right (D+).
The selected gear range will appear in the
tachometer display field. If you press on
the accelerator when the engine has
reached its rpm limit, the transmission will
upshift beyond any gear range limit
selected.
iTo avoid overrevving the engine when
the selector lever is moved to the D– di-
rection, the transmission will not shift
to a lower gear if the engine’s max.
speed would be exceeded.

115 Controls in detail
Automatic transmission
Gear selector lever position
Gear
range
Effect
é
The transmission shifts
through fourth gear only.
è
The transmission shifts
through third gear only.
With this selection you can
use the braking effect of the
engine.
Gear
range
Effect
ç
The transmission shifts
through second gear only.
Allows the use of engine’s
braking power when driving

on steep downgrades


in mountainous regions


under extreme operating
conditions
æ
The transmission operates
only in first gear
For maximum use of engine’s
braking effect on very steep
or lengthy downgrades.
Effect
P
Park position
Selector position when the vehicle is
parked. Only place selector lever in
positionP when vehicle is stopped.
The park position is not intended to
serve as a brake when the vehicle is
parked. Rather, the driver should al-
ways set the parking brake in addi-
tion to placing the selector lever in
positionP to secure the vehicle.
The key can only be removed from
the steering lock with the selector le-
ver in positionP. With the key re-
moved the selector lever is locked in
positionP.
If the vehicle electrical system is mal-
functioning, the selector lever could
remain locked in positionP
(page 245).
R
Place selector lever in positionR only
when vehicle is stopped.