center console MERCEDES-BENZ ML430 2002 W163 Owner's Manual

1 Contents
IntroductionProduct information .......................... 7
Roadside assistance ......................... 10
Where to find it ................................ 14
Reporting Safety Defects ................ 16Instruments and controlsInstruments and controls ............... 18
Center console .............................. 20
Overhead control panel ............... 21OperationVehicle keys ...................................... 24
Start lock-out .................................... 25
General notes on the
central locking system ............... 25
Central locking system ................... 26
Radio frequency
remote control .............................. 26
Unlocking the liftgate .................. 27
Panic button .................................. 28
Mechanical keys ........................... 29Doors ................................................. 30
Central locking switch .................... 32
Automatic central locking .............. 33
Emergency unlocking
in case of accident ...................... 33
Liftgate .............................................. 34
Antitheft alarm system ................... 36
Tow-away alarm and
glass breakage sensor ............... 37
Seats, front ....................................... 38
Manual seats ................................ 40
Power seats .................................... 41
Head restraint .............................. 42
Memory function ......................... 43
Heated seats ..................................... 46
Seat belts and
integrated restraint system ....... 48
Seat belts .......................................... 48
Seat belt nonusage
warning system ............................ 49
BabySmart
TM airbag
deactivation system ................... 55
Self-test BabySmart
TM without
special child seat installed ......... 55Supplemental restraint
system (SRS) ................................ 56
Emergency tensioning
retractor (ETR) ............................. 57
Airbags .............................................. 58
Safety guidelines for
the seat belt, emergency
tensioning retractor
and airbag ..................................... 66
Infant and
child restraint systems ................ 68
Adjustable steering wheel .............. 74
Inside rear view mirror .................. 75
Antiglare night position .............. 75
Exterior rear view mirrors ............. 77
Exterior rear view mirror,
electrically folding ....................... 79
Instrument cluster ........................... 82
Indicator lamps in
the instrument cluster ............... 84
Trip computer ................................... 89
Flexible service system
(FSS) .............................................. 94
Engine oil level indicator ................ 96
Exterior lamp switch ....................... 97

17 Contents - Instruments and controls
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Instruments and controlsInstruments and controls ............... 18
Center console .............................. 20
Overhead control panel ............... 21

20 Instruments and controls
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Center console1Ashtray with lighter, see page 137
2Selector lever, see page 183
3Power window switch, left front door, see page 122
4Power window safety switch, rear doors,
see page 122
5Power window switch, left rear door, see page 122
6Central locking switch, see page 32
7Storage compartment, see page 133
8Exterior mirror adjustment switch, see page 77
Exterior mirrors, electrically folding, see page 79
9Parking assist (parktronic) deactivation switch
(optional), see page 230
10Power window switch, right rear door, see page 122
11Power window switch, right front door, see page 122
P68.20-2472-27

32 Central locking system
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Central locking switch
1Locking
2UnlockingThe central locking switch is located on the center
console.
The doors and trunk can only be locked with the central
locking switch, if the front doors are closed.
If the vehicle was previously locked with the remote
control, the doors and liftgate cannot be unlocked with
the central locking switch.
Wa r n i n g !
When leaving the vehicle always remove the key
from the steering lock, and lock your vehicle.Do not leave children unattended in the vehicle or
with access to an unlocked vehicle. Unsupervised
use of vehicle equipment may cause serious
personal injury.

36 Antitheft alarm system
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Antitheft alarm system
The indicator lamp is located in the center console.
The antitheft alarm is automatically armed or disarmed
with the remote control by locking or unlocking the
vehicle.
The antitheft alarm is armed within approximately
15 seconds after locking the vehicle with the remote
control.
A blinking lamp in the center console indicates that the
alarm is armed.
Notes:
Use of the mechanical key in the front door locks does
not arm or disarm the antitheft alarm system.
The alarm sounds when unlocking the driver’s door
with the mechanical key. Cancel alarm by turning key in
steering lock to position 1, or with the remote control by
pressing buttonŒ or‹.
If the vehicle battery voltage falls below 10 volts, the
alarm is automatically canceled and the antitheft alarm
system is disarmed. When the voltage is above this
value again, the antitheft alarm system is armed again.Operation:
Once the alarm system has been armed, the turn signal
lamps will flash rapidly (approximately 3 minutes) and
the horn will sound intermittently (approximately
30 seconds) when someone:
•opens a door,
•opens the liftgate,
•opens the hood,
•breaks a window,
•attempts to raise the vehicle.
The alarm will stay on even if the activating element
(a door, for example) is immediately closed.
If the alarm stays on for more than 20 seconds, an
emergency call is initiated automatically. See Tele Aid
on page 166.
Note:
The alarm system will cycle three times when triggered.
The interior lights are automatically switched on when
the alarm comes on and go out when the alarm is
cancelled.

46 Seats
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Heated seats (optional on ML 320)
The seat heater switches are located on the center
console.
The seat heaters can be switched on with the engine
running.Press switch to turn on seat heater:
1Normal seat heating mode. One indicator lamp in
the switch lights up.
2Rapid seat heating mode. Both indicator lamps in
the switch light up.
After approximately 5 minutes in the rapid seat
heating mode, the seat heater automatically
switches to normal operation and only one indicator
lamp will stay on.
Turning off seat heater:
If one indicator lamp is on, press upper half of switch.
If both indicator lamps are on, press lower half of
switch.
If left on, the seat heater automatically turns off after
approximately 20 minutes of operation.
P54.25-2036-26
12

77 Rear view mirrors
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Exterior rear view mirrors
The switch is located on the center console.
1Driver’s side
2Passenger side
3Adjustment buttonExterior rear view mirror adjustment
Turn key in steering lock to position 1 or 2.
Push button to select mirror to be adjusted:
Driver’s side – Push button (1).
Passenger side – Push button (2).
Push the adjustment button (3) up, down, left or right
according to the setting desired.
Note:
The exterior mirrors have electrically heated glass. The
heater switches on automatically, depending on outside
temperature.
With the front doors closed and the key in steering lock
position 0 or 1, or removed from steering lock, the
exterior rear view mirrors can be operated for
approx. 30 minutes.
P82.00-2122-26
1
2
3
Wa r n i n g !
Exercise care when using the passenger-side
mirror. The passenger-side exterior mirror is
convex (outwardly curved surface for a wider field
of view). Objects in mirror are closer than they
appear. Check your inside rear view mirror or
glance over your shoulder before changing lanes.

79 Rear view mirrors
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Exterior rear view mirror, electrically folding
(optional on ML 320 and ML 500)
The switch is located on the center console.
Turn the key in steering lock position 2.
1Press briefly switch to fold mirror in
2Press briefly switch to fold mirror outIf an exterior mirror housing is forcibly pushed forward
(hit from the rear), it must be repositioned manually by
applying firm pressure until it snaps back into place.
If an exterior mirror is forcibly pushed rearward (hit
from the front) press button (1) to fold mirrors in, then
press button (2) to fold mirrors out. Do not force mirror
by hand.
You can adjust the exterior rear view mirrors again, see
page 77.
Notes:
The mirrors cannot be folded in above vehicle speeds of
approx. 9 mph (15km/h).
The exterior rear view mirrors can vibrate if they are
not completely folded out.
Before running the vehicle through an automatic car
wash, fold the mirrors in, otherwise they might get
damaged.
With the front doors closed and the key in steering lock
position 0 or 1, or removed from steering lock, the
exterior rear view mirrors can be operated for
approx. 30 minutes.
P82.00-2123-26
1
2

103 Fog lamp switch
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Fog lamp switch
The switch is located in the center console.
Press down rocker switch symbols:
1Front fog lamps on. Green indicator lamp ‡ in
instrument cluster comes on.
Press upper half of the switch again to switch fog
lamps off. The green indicator lamp‡ in
instrument cluster goes out.2Rear fog lamp (driver’s side) in addition to front fog
lamps on. Yellow indicator lamp in switch comes on
in addition to green indicator lamp‡ in
instrument cluster.
Press lower half of the switch again to switch rear
fog lamp off. The yellow indicator lamp in switch
goes out.
When pressing upper half of the switch once with
front fog lamps and rear fog lamp on, first the rear
fog lamp is switched off. The yellow indicator lamp
in the switch goes out. Press upper half of the
switch again to switch off front fog lamps. The green
indicator lamp‡ in instrument cluster also goes
out.
Note:
Front fog lamps and rear fog lamp operate only in
exterior lamp switch position õ and with no
highbeam headlamps on. Consult your state Motor
Vehicle Regulations regarding allowable lamp operation.

106 Rear window wiper/washer
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Move stalk up for:
Normal wiper speed
Fast wiper speed
Note:
When shifting into reverse with windshield wipers on,
the rear wiper automatically turns on.Rear window wiper/washer
The rear window wiper / washer switch is located in the
center console.
12