checking oil MERCEDES-BENZ ML430 2002 W163 Owner's Manual

5 Contents
Practical hintsFirst aid kit .....................................250
Fuses ................................................250
Electrical outlet ..............................252
Stowing items in the vehicle ........252
Hood .................................................253
Checking engine oil level .............255
Automatic transmission
fluid level ...................................256
Engine oil consumption ................256
Coolant level ...................................256
Adding coolant ...........................257
Windshield washer/headlamp
cleaning system .........................258
Windshield and headlamp
washer fluid mixing ratio .........259Ve h i c l e j a c k ,
wheel bolt wrench and
screwdriver ............................... 259
Air pump ......................................... 261
Wheels ............................................ 262
Tire replacement ....................... 262
Rotating wheels ......................... 263
Spare wheel .................................... 264
Changing wheels ........................... 267
Tire inflation pressure ................. 272
Battery ............................................. 273
Jump starting ................................. 275
Towing the vehicle ........................ 277
Transmission selector lever,
manually unlocking .................. 281
Stranded vehicle ............................ 281Exterior lamps ................................282
Headlamp assembly ...................283
Taillamp assemblies ..................287
Adjusting headlamp aim ...............290
Remote control battery
replacement ...............................292
Synchronizing
remote control ............................293
Emergency operation of
sliding/pop-up roof ...................294
Manual release for
fuel filler flap .............................295
Replacing wiper blades .................295
Roof rack .........................................296

238 Check regulary and before a long trip
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Check regularly and before a long trip 1Engine oil level
See “Checking engine oil level” on page 255 and
“Engine oil level indicator” on page 96.
2Coolant level
See “Coolant level” on page 256.
3Brake fluid
See “Brake fluid” on page 316.
4Windshield washer system/
Headlamp cleaning system/
Rear window washer system
For refilling reservoir see page 258.
Opening hood, see page 253.
Vehicle lighting: Check function and cleanliness. For
replacement of light bulbs, see “Exterior lamps” on
page 282.
Exterior lamp switch, see page 97.

246 Malfunction and indicator lamps
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Low engine oil level warning lamp
With the key in steering lock position 2, the
oil level warning lamp comes on and should
go out when the engine is running.
If the warning lamp does not go out after starting the
engine, or comes on with the engine running and at
operating temperature, the engine oil level has dropped
to approximately the minimum mark on the dipstick.
When this occurs, the warning lamp will first come on
intermittently and then stay on if the oil level drops
further.
If no oil leaks are noted, continue to drive to the nearest
service station where the engine oil should be topped to
the “full” mark on the dipstick with an approved oil.
The low engine oil level warning light should not be
ignored. Extended driving with the light illuminated
could result in serious engine damage that is not
covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
In addition to the warning lamp, the engine oil level
should be periodically checked with the dipstick or via
the oil level indicator in the odometer display field, for
example during a fuel stop, or before a long trip (see
engine oil level indicator on page 96 and checking
engine oil on page 255).Low engine coolant level warning
When the coolant level warning lamp comes
on while driving, then the coolant level has
dropped below the required level, or the
coolant temperature is in the red zone. If no leaks are
noticeable and the engine temperature does not
increase, continue to drive to the nearest service station
and have coolant added to the coolant system, see
page 256. If the engine temperature reaches the red
zone, move vehicle to an area which is in a safe distance
from the roadway and turn off the engine. Also see
coolant temperature gauge on page 87.
The low engine coolant level warning should not be
ignored. Extended driving with the symbol displayed
may cause serious engine damage not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
In cases of major or frequent minor coolant loss, have
the cooling system checked at your authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center as soon as possible.
Notes:
Do not drive without coolant in the cooling system. The
engine will overheat causing major engine damage.
Monitor the coolant temperature gauge while driving.

249 Contents - Practical hints
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index
Practical hintsFirst aid kit .....................................250
Fuses ................................................250
Electrical outlet ..............................252
Stowing items in the vehicle ........252
Hood .................................................253
Checking engine oil level .............255
Automatic transmission
fluid level ...................................256
Engine oil consumption ................256
Coolant level ...................................256
Adding coolant ...........................257
Windshield washer/headlamp
cleaning system .........................258
Windshield and headlamp
washer fluid mixing ratio .........259Ve h i c l e j a c k ,
wheel bolt wrench and
screwdriver ............................... 259
Air pump ......................................... 261
Wheels ............................................ 262
Tire replacement ....................... 262
Rotating wheels ......................... 263
Spare wheel .................................... 264
Changing wheels ........................... 267
Tire inflation pressure ................. 272
Battery ............................................. 273
Jump starting ................................. 275
Towing the vehicle ........................ 277
Transmission selector lever,
manually unlocking .................. 281
Stranded vehicle ............................ 281Exterior lamps ................................282
Headlamp assembly ...................283
Taillamp assemblies ..................287
Adjusting headlamp aim ...............290
Remote control battery
replacement ...............................292
Synchronizing
remote control ............................293
Emergency operation of
sliding/pop-up roof ...................294
Manual release for
fuel filler flap .............................295
Replacing wiper blades .................295
Roof rack .........................................296

255 Engine compartment
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index Checking engine oil level
1Oil dipstick
2Oil filler cap
To check the engine oil level, park vehicle on level
ground, with engine at normal operational temperature.
Check engine oil level approximately 5 minutes after
stopping the engine, allowing for the oil to return to the
oil pan.Wipe oil dipstick clean prior to checking the engine oil
level. Fully insert dipstick in tube, and remove after
three seconds to obtain accurate reading.
Oil level must be between the
lower (min) and upper (max) mark of
the dipstick.
Fill quantity between upper and lower dipstick marking,
the level is approximately 2.1 US qt (2.0 l).
Do not overfill the engine.
Excessive oil must be drained
or siphoned. It could cause damage to engine and
catalytic converter not covered by the Mercedes-Benz
Limited Warranty.
See page 246 for low engine oil level warning.
Note:
See page 96 for engine oil level indicator.

324 Index
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car careIndex
Central locking system ................................................... 26
Automatic central locking ......................................... 33
Locking and unlocking .............................................. 27
Mechanical keys .......................................................... 29
Panic button ................................................................. 28
Remote control ............................................................ 26
Unlocking the liftgate ................................................. 27
Vehicle keys ................................................................. 24
Changing wheels ...........................................................267
Inflating the space-saver tire .................................. 271
Charge indicator lamp ................................................... 245
CHECK ENGINE
malfunction indicator lamp ..................................... 240
Check regularly and before a long trip ......................238
Checking engine oil level
Via engine oil level indicator .................................... 96
Via oil dipstick ...........................................................255
Child restraint .............................................. 39, 48, 55, 68
Child seat mounts
See Infant and child restraint systems .................... 72
Child seat mounts – “LATCH” type ............................... 72
Cleaning and care of the vehicle .................................298
Climate control
Special settings ..........................................................114
Clock, adjusting ............................................................... 87
Compartment under front passenger seat ................. 134Consumer information ................................................. 320
Control and operation of radio transmitters .............. 164
Coolant level
Adding ........................................................................ 257
Checking .................................................................... 256
Low engine coolant level warning ......................... 246
Coolant temperature gauge ............................................87
Coolants ........................................................................... 318
Anticorrosion/antifreeze quantity ......................... 318
Low engine coolant level warning ......................... 246
Cover blind, cargo area ................................................. 155
Cruise control ................................................................. 214
Cup holder
Instrument panel ...................................................... 134
Rear center console .................................................. 136
Cup holder in front seat armrest ................................. 135
DDeep water
Driving instructions .................................................201
Display illumination ........................................................86
Doors ..................................................................................30
Drinking and driving ..................................................... 192
Drive sensibly - save fuel .............................................. 192

325 Index
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car careIndex Driving instructions ...................................................... 192
Driving off ....................................................................... 194
Dust filter ......................................................................... 111
EEBP (Electronic brake proportioning) ........................ 222
Electrical outlet .............................................................. 252
Electronic brake proportioning (EBP) ........................ 222
Electronic stability program (ESP) .............................. 223
Control switch ...........................................................225
Malfunction indicator lamp ..................................... 243
Synchronizing ...........................................................224
Warning lamp ............................................................243
Electronic traction system (4-ETS+) ........................... 221
LOW RANGE – 4-ETS ...............................................222
Malfunction indicator lamp ..................................... 243
Emergency call
See Tele Aid ............................................................... 166
Emergency tensioning retractor (ETR) ......................... 57
Emergency unlocking in case of accident ................... 33
Emission control ............................................................ 179
Emission control label .................................................. 307
Engine compartment .....................................................253Engine malfunction
CHECK ENGINE
malfunction indicator lamp ............................... 240
Engine oil additives ....................................................... 316
Engine oil consumption ............................................... 256
Engine oil level
Checking .............................................................. 96, 255
Warning ..................................................................... 246
Engine oil level indicator ................................................ 96
Engine oils ...................................................................... 316
Capacities ................................................................... 314
Low engine oil level warning ................................. 246
Engine overheating ..........................................................87
Engine speed limit
Overrevving .................................................................. 88
Enlarged cargo area ....................................................... 149
Entrance lamps ............................................................... 130
ESP
LOW RANGE — ESP .................................................. 226
ESP (Electronic stability program) ............................. 223
Control switch .......................................................... 225
Malfunction indicator lamp .................................... 243
Synchronizing .......................................................... 224
Warning lamp ........................................................... 243
ETR (Emergency tensioning retractor) .........................57