low beam MERCEDES-BENZ ML350 2004 W163 Owner's Manual

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:WLow wind-
shield/headlamp
washer system fluid
level warning lamp
253
7Front passenger air-
bag switched off
243
‡Front fog lamp
switched on
111
Item
Page
_Steering wheel ad-
justment not locked
253
warning lamp
253
1Supplemental Re-
straint System
(SRS) indicator
lamp
255
ÉBrake warning lamp
244
#Charge indicator
lamp
254
AHigh beam head-
lamp indicator
49
Item
Page
7
Knob for setting clock
118
8
Tachometer with:
Display for Selector
lever position
121
Clock
118
9
KRight turn signal
indicator lamp
a
LLeft turn signal
indicator lamp

48 Getting startedDrivingAfter a cold start, the automatic transmis-
sion shifts at a higher engine revolution.
This allows the catalytic converter to reach
its operating temperature earlier.
More information can be found in the “Op-
eration” section (
page 191).
For information on off-road driving, see
“Driving instructions” (
page 200).
Switching on headlamps
The combination switch is located on the
left of the steering column.Combination switch1 Off
2Low beam headlamps on
3High beam lamps on
Turn the switch toõ.
Low beam headlamps on.
!If you hear a warning signal when driv-
ing off, you have forgotten to release
the parking brake.
Release the parking brake.Warning!
G
It is dangerous to shift the gear 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 in reverse. You
could lose control of the vehicle and hit
someone or something. Only shift into gear
when the engine 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.!Place the gear selector lever in
positionR only when the vehicle is
stopped in order to avoid damaging the
transmission.!Do not run cold engine at high engine
speeds. Running a cold engine at high
engine speeds may shorten the service
life of the engine.

107 Controls in detail
Lighting
Lighting
For notes on how to switch on the head-
lamps (
page 48) and use the turn signals
(
page 49), see the “Getting started” sec-
tion.
Combination switch
The combination switch is on the left of the
steering column.
1High beam
2High beam flasherMOff
UAutomatic headlamp mode
CParking lamps, license plate lamps
and instrument panel lamps
Canada only: With the engine run-
ning, the low beam headlamps
additionally switched on.
õLow beam or high beam headlamps
ƒLeft or right standing lamps
(symbol on underside of switch)
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.

108 Controls in detailLightingManual headlamp mode
The low beam headlamps and parking
lamps can be switched on and off with the
combination switch. For combination
switch, see (
page 107).
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 toU.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.
Warning!
G
If the combination switch is set toU,

the headlamps may switch off unexpect-
edly when the system senses bright am-
bient light, for example light from
oncoming traffic.


the headlamps will not be automatically
switched on under foggy conditions.
To minimize risk to you and to others, acti-
vate headlamps by turning combination
switch toõ when driving or when traffic
and / or ambient lighting conditions require
you to do so.
In low ambient lighting conditions, only
switch from positionU toõ with the
vehicle at a standstill. Switching fromU
toõ will briefly switch off the head-
lamps. Doing so while driving in low ambient
lighting conditions may result in an acci-
dent.
The automatic headlamp feature is only an
aid to the driver. The driver is responsible for
the operation of the vehicle's lights at all
times.iIf the automatic headlamp mode is ac-
tivated, the fog lamps can also be
switched on (
page 111). The low
beam headlamp and parking lamps are
activated simultaneously.

109 Controls in detail
Lighting
Daytime running lamp mode
Canada only:
Turn combination switch to
positionM orU.
When the engine is running, the low beam
headlamps are automatically switched on.
In low ambient light conditions, the parking
lamps will also switch on.
When you shift from a driving position to
positionN orP, the low beam switches off
(three minutes delay).
For nighttime driving you should turn the
combination switch to positionõ to
permit activation of the high beam head-
lamps.Night 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
positionU (
page 107).Deactivating night security illumination
temporarily

Before leaving the vehicle, turn the key
in the steering lock to position0
(page 33) then turn it to position2
and back to0.
The night security illumination is deac-
tivated. It will reactivate as soon as you
start the engine.
Setting illumination time
1Switch for fog lamps
iThe high beam flasher is always avail-
able.
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.

110 Controls in detailLighting
Stop the vehicle.

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

Turn combination switch to
positionM.

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
illumination 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.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
positionU (
page 107).
The locator lighting switches off when the
driver’s door is opened. It switches off au-
tomatically after a period of approximately
40 seconds.Switching on high beams

Turn the combination switch
toõ(
page 107).

Push the combination switch forward.
The high beam indicatorA in the
instrument cluster comes on.
High beam flasher

Pull the combination switch briefly in
direction2.

111 Controls in detail
Lighting
Fog lamps
The switch is located on the upper center
console.1Front fog lamps
2Indicator lamp
3Front fog lamps and rear fog lamp
Switching front fog lamps on and off

Make sure the low beam headlamps
are switched on.

Press upper part1 of switch.
The green indicator lamp‡ in the
instrument cluster comes on.

Press upper part1 of switch again.
The green indicator lamp‡ in the
instrument cluster goes out.Switching front fog lamps and rear fog
lamps on and off

Make sure the low beam headlamps
are switched on.

Press lower part3 of switch.
The green indicator lamp‡ in the
instrument cluster comes on in addi-
tion to the yellow indicator lamp2 in
the switch.

Press lower part3 of switch again.
The green indicator lamp‡ in the
instrument cluster and the yellow indi-
cator lamp2 in the switch go out.
Switching rear fog lamp on and off

Press upper part1 of switch.
The yellow indicator lamp2 in the
switch goes out.

Press upper part1 of switch.
The green indicator lamp‡ in the
instrument cluster goes out.
Warning!
G
In low ambient lighting or foggy conditions,
only switch from positionU toB with
the vehicle at a standstill. Switching
fromU toB will briefly switch off the
headlamps. Doing so while driving in low
ambient lighting conditions may result in an
accident.iThe fog lamps can be switched on with
combination switch in positionõ
orU. Consult your state Motor Reg-
ulations regarding allowable lamp oper-
ation.

116 Controls in detailInstrument cluster
Instrument clusterA full view illustration of the instrument
cluster can be found in the “At a glance”
section of this manual (
page 24).
1Left knob
2Right knobThe instrument cluster is activated when
you:


open the driver’s door


turn the key in steering lock to
position1 or 2 (
page 33)


press the left knob1
Instrument cluster illumination
To brighten illumination
Turn knob1 clockwise.
The instrument cluster illumination will
brighten.
To dim illumination

Turn knob1 counterclockwise.
The instrument cluster illumination will
dim.iYou can set the instrument cluster illu-
mination with the following lamps on:

parking lamps


low beam headlamps


high beam headlamps

266 Practical hintsReplacing bulbs
Replacing bulbsSafe vehicle operation depends on proper
exterior lighting and signaling. It is there-
fore essential that all bulbs and lamp as-
semblies are in good working order at all
times.
Correct headlamp adjustment is extremely
important. Have headlamps checked and
readjusted at regular intervals and when a
bulb has been replaced. See your autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center
for headlamp adjustment.
Bulbs Front lamps
iIf the headlamps are fogged up on the
inside as a result of high humidity, driv-
ing the vehicle a distance should clear
out the fogging.
Lamp
Type
1
Fog lamp
H8 (35 W)
2
High beam
H7 (55 W)
3
Low beam
H7 (55 W)
Xenon* D2S-35 W
4
Turn signal,
parking, stand-
ing and side
marker lamp
1157 NA
(32 / 3 cp bulb)
5
Additional turn
signal
LED

268 Practical hintsReplacing bulbsReplacing bulbs for front lamps
Replacing low beam bulbs
1Low beam halogen or Bi-Xenon* head-
lamp cover with locking tab2Electrical connector
Bi-Xenon* headlampHalogen headlamp

Switch off the lights.

Open the hood (
page 217).

Push down tab at top end of cover1
and remove.

Pull electrical connector2 off.

Unclip the retainer springs and take out
the bulb.

Insert the new bulb so that the base lo-
cates in the recess on the holder.

Clip the retainer springs.

Plug the connector2 onto the bulb.

Align headlamp cover and click into
place.
Warning!
G
Do not remove the cover
1
for the
Bi-Xenon headlamp. Because of high voltage
in xenon lamps, it is dangerous to replace
the bulb or repair the lamp and its compo-
nents. We recommend that you have such
work done by a qualified technician.