MERCEDES-BENZ ML55AMG 2002 W163 Owner's Manual

318 Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc.
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Gasoline additives
A major concern among engine manufacturers is carbon
build up caused by gasoline. Mercedes-Benz
recommends the use of only quality gasoline containing
additives that prevent the build up of carbon deposits.
After an extended period of using fuels without such
additives, carbon deposits can build up especially on the
intake valves and in the combustion area, leading to
engine performance problems such as:
•warm-up hesitation,
•unstable idle,
•knocking / pinging,
•misfire,
•power loss.
Do not blend other specific fuel additives with fuel.
They only result in unnecessary cost, and may be
harmful to the engine operation.
Damage or malfunctions resulting from poor fuel
quality or from blending specific fuel additives are not
covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.Coolants
The engine coolant is a mixture of water and
anticorrosion / antifreeze, which provides:
•corrosion protection,
•freeze protection,
•boiling protection (by increasing the boiling point).
The cooling system was filled at the factory with a
coolant providing freeze protection to approximately
-35
°F (-37
°C) and corrosion protection.
If the antifreeze mixture is effective to -22
°F (-30
°C), the
boiling point of the coolant in the pressurized cooling
system is reached at approx. 266
°F (130
°C).
The coolant solution must be used year round to provide
the necessary corrosion protection and increase in the
boil-over protection. You should have it replaced every
3years.
To provide the important corrosion protection, the
solution must be at least 45% anticorrosion / antifreeze
(equals a freeze protection to approx. - 22°F [-30
°C]). If
you use a solution that is more than 55% anticorrosion/
antifreeze (freeze protection to approx. - 49
°F [-45
°C])-,

319 Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc.
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cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index the engine temperature will increase due to the lower
heat transfer capability of the solution. Therefore, do not
use more than this amount of anticorrosion / antifreeze.
If the coolant level is low, water and MB anticorrosion/
antifreeze should be used to bring it up to the proper
level (have cooling system checked for signs of leakage).
The water in the cooling system must meet minimum
requirements, which are usually satisfied by normal
drinking water. If your are not sure about the water
quality, consult your authorized Mercedes-Benz Light
Truck Center.
Anticorrosion/antifreeze
Your vehicle contains a number of aluminum parts. The
use of aluminum components in motor vehicle engines
necessitates that anticorrosion / antifreeze coolant used
in such engines be specifically formulated to protect the
aluminum parts. (Failure to use such anticorrosion/
antifreeze coolant will result in a significantly
shortened service life.)
Therefore the following product is strongly
recommended for use in your vehicle: Mercedes-Benz
Anticorrosion / antifreeze agent.Before the start of the winter season (or once a year in
the hot southern regions), you should have the
anticorrosion / antifreeze concentration checked. The
coolant is also regularly checked each time you bring
your vehicle to your authorized Mercedes-Benz Light
Truck Center for service.
Anticorrosion / antifreeze quantity
Approx. freeze protection
– 35
°F
(– 37°C)– 49
°F
(– 45°C)
6.4 US qt
(6.0 l)7. 0 U S q t
(6.6 l)

320 Consumer information
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Consumer information
This has been prepared as required of all manufactures
of passenger cars under Title 49, Code of U.S. Federal
Regulations, Part 575 pursuant to the “National Traffic
and Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1966”.
Uniform tire quality grading
Quality grades can be found where applicable on the
tire sidewall between tread shoulder and maximum
section width. For example:
All passenger vehicle tires must conform to federal
safety requirements in addition to these grades.Treadwear
The treadwear grade is a comparative rating based on
the wear rate of the tire when tested under controlled
conditions on a specified government test course. For
example, a tire graded 150 would wear one and one-half
(1
1/2) times as well on the government course as a tire
graded 100. The relative performance of tires depends
upon the actual conditions of their use, however, and
may depart significantly from the norm due to
variations in driving habits, service practices and
differences in road characteristics and climate.
Traction
The traction grades, from highest to lowest are AA, A, B,
and C. Those grades represent the tire’s ability to stop
on wet pavement as measured under controlled
conditions on specified government test surfaces of
asphalt and concrete. A tire marked C may have poor
traction performance. Tread wear 200 Traction AA Temperature A
Wa r n i n g !
The traction grade assigned to this tire is based on
straight ahead braking traction tests, and does not
include acceleration, cornering, hydroplaning, or
peak traction characteristics.

321 Consumer information
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The temperature grades are A (the highest), B, and C,
representing the tire’s resistance to the generation of
heat and its ability to dissipate heat when tested under
controlled conditions on a specified indoor laboratory
test wheel. Sustained high temperature can cause the
material of the tire to degenerate and reduce tire life,
and excessive temperature can lead to sudden tire
failure. The grade C corresponds to a level of
performance which all passenger vehicle tires must
meet under the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard
No. 109. Grades B and A represent higher levels of
performance on the laboratory test wheel than the
minimum required by law.
Wa r n i n g !
The temperature grade for this tire is established
for a tire that is properly inflated and not
overloaded. Excessive speed, underinflation, or
excessive loading, either separately or in
combination, can cause excessive heat build up
and possible tire failure.

322 Index
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Index
AABS (Antilock brake system) ....................................... 219
LOW RANGE – ABS .................................................. 220
Malfunction indicator lamp ..................................... 244
Adjustable steering wheel .............................................. 74
Indicator lamp ...........................................................244
Adjusting headlamp aim ...............................................290
Air conditioner refrigerant ........................................... 316
Air pump ......................................................................... 261
Air recirculation .............................................................116
Airbag deactivation system ............................................ 55
Airbag OFF indicator lamp ........................................... 244
Airbags .............................................................................. 58
Alarm system ............................................................. 36, 37
Anticorrosion/antifreeze ..................... 200, 257, 315, 319
Antiglare night position ................................................. 75
Antilock brake system (ABS) ....................................... 219
LOW RANGE – ABS .................................................. 220
Malfunction indicator lamp ..................................... 244
Antitheft alarm system ................................................... 36
Aquaplaning ................................................................... 196
AshtrayCenter console, front ................................................ 137
Rear passenger compartment ................................. 137
Automatic central locking .............................................. 33
Automatic climate control ............................................ 108
Adjustable air outlets,
rear passenger compartment .............................120
Air distribution, manual .......................................... 114
Air recirculation ........................................................ 116
Air volume, manual .................................................. 114
Defroster/Windows fogged up
on the inside ......................................................... 115
Economy mode .......................................................... 117
Programming the
basic temperature setting ................................... 113
Rear passenger compartment
climate control ...................................................... 119
Rear window defroster ............................................. 121
Residual engine heat utilization ............................. 117
Switching off the rear passenger
compartment ventilation and
rear automatic climate control ........................... 118
Switching on and off ................................................. 118
Windshield fogged up on outside ........................... 115
Automatic climate control rear
Manual setting of air volume and
air distribution in the rear passenger
compartment ......................................................... 119

323 Index
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data Instruments
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cluster displayPractical hints Car careIndex Automatic transmission ............................................... 183
Emergency Operation .............................................. 190
Fluid level ...................................................................256
Selector lever position .............................................. 186
Transmission selector lever,
manually unlocking ............................................. 281
BBabySmart
TM airbag deactivation system ..................... 55
Self-test ......................................................................... 55
BAS (Brake assist system) ............................................ 217
Malfunction indicator lamp ..................................... 243
Battery .............................................................................273
Battery recycling ....................................................... 274
Charge indicator lamp ..............................................245
Battery, remote control ................................................. 292
Block heater .................................................................... 201
Blocking of rear door windows .................................... 124
Brake assist system (BAS) ............................................ 217
Malfunction indicator lamp ..................................... 243
Brake fluid .............................................................. 193, 316
Brake warning lamp ................................................. 241
Capacity ...................................................................... 315
Brake pad wear indicator ............................................. 247Brake warning lamp ...................................................... 241
Brake fluid low .......................................................... 241
Brakes ......................................................191, 193, 315, 316
Bulbs
See Replacing bulbs ................................................. 282
CCapacities
Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc. ............................... 314
Cargo area ....................................................................... 149
Hooks .......................................................................... 151
Loading instructions ................................................. 154
Cargo area cover blind .................................................. 155
Cargo compartment lamp ............................................. 129
Cargo floor plates
Removable .................................................................. 147
Storage ........................................................................ 148
Cargo tie-down rings ..................................................... 150
Catalytic converter ......................................................... 178
Cellular telephone .......................................................... 157
Center console .................................................................. 20
Central locking switch .................................................... 32

324 Index
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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
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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

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ETS (4-ETS+) ................................................................... 221
LOW RANGE – 4-ETS+ ............................................. 222
Express opening and
closing of power windows ....................................... 122
Exterior lamp switch ....................................................... 97
Daytime running lamp mode .................................. 100
Exterior lamps ................................................................ 282
Additional turn signals on
the exterior mirror ...............................................288
Adjusting headlamp aim .......................................... 290
Fog lamp assembly ................................................... 286
Fog lamps ................................................................... 103
Headlamp assembly ........................................ 283, 284
Headlamps ................................97, 283, 284, 290, 300
High mounted stop lamp .........................................289
License plate lamps .................................................. 289
Low and high beam ............................................97, 285
Parking lamp .......................................................97, 285
Replacing bulbs ......................................................... 282
Side marker lamp ......................................................285
Standing lamp .....................................................97, 285
Taillamp assemblies ................................................. 287
Turn signal lamp .................................................97, 285
Exterior mirror, front passenger side,
parking position .......................................................... 78Exterior rear view mirrors .............................................. 77
Electrically folding ...................................................... 79
Parking position ..........................................................78
FFirst aid kit ..................................................................... 250
Flat tire
See Changing wheels .............................................. 267
Flexible service system (FSS) ........................................ 94
FSS indicator lamp ............................................. 85, 247
Floor plates
Removable .................................................................. 147
Fog lamp switch ............................................................. 103
Four ETS
LOW RANGE – 4-ETS+ ............................................ 222
Malfunction indicator lamp .................................... 243
Four wheel electronic traction system (4-ETS+) .......221
Malfunction indicator lamp .................................... 243
Fuel
Gasoline additives ..................................................... 318
Premium unleaded gasoline ................... 236, 315, 317
Fuel filler flap
Manual release ......................................................... 295
Fuel requirements ......................................................... 317

327 Index
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cluster displayPractical hints Car careIndex Fuel reserve warning ....................................................242
Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc. - Capacities .............. 314
Fuse boxes ....................................................................... 251
Fuses, electrical ............................................................. 250
GGarage door opener ....................................................... 158
Gasoline
Additives .................................................................... 318
Fuel requirements .................................................... 317
Premium unleaded ................................................... 317
General notes on the central locking system .............. 25
Glass breakage sensor .................................................... 37
Glove box ......................................................................... 133HHazard warning flasher switch ................................... 104
Head restraints
Adjusting ...................................................................... 45
Front ............................................................................. 45
Front, removal ............................................................. 45
Rear ............................................................................. 143
Removal ............................................................... 45, 143Headlamp aim, adjusting ............................................. 290
Headlamp assembly
BiXenon ..................................................................... 284
Halogen ...................................................................... 283
Headlamp cleaning system ........................................... 104
Headlamp mode ................................................................99
Headlights ......................................................................... 97
Heated seats ......................................................................46
High beam
See Exterior lamp switch ...........................................97
Hood ................................................................................ 253
Hooks ............................................................................... 151
IIdentification labels ...................................................... 307
Illuminated vanity mirrors ........................................... 131
Indicator lamps in the instrument cluster ...................84
Infant and child restraint system
Installation ................................................................... 70
Infant and child restraint systems ................................68
Child seat mounts - LATCH type ..............................72
Inflating the space-saver tire ....................................... 271
Information call
See Tele Aid ............................................................... 166