MERCEDES-BENZ ML55AMG 2003 W163 Owner's Manual

171 Controls in detail
Useful features
Canadian programming
During programming, your hand-held
transmitter may automatically stop trans-
mitting. 
Continue to press and hold the inte-
grated remote control transmitter but-
ton (refer to steps two through four in
the “Programming” portion) while you
press and re-press (“cycle”) your
hand-held transmitter every two sec-
onds until the frequency signal has
been learned.
Upon successful training, the indicator
lamp will flash slowly and then rapidly
after several seconds.Operation of remote control

Turn key in steering lock to position1
or2.

Select and press the appropriate but-
ton to activate the remote controlled
device.
The integrated remote control trans-
mitter continues to send the signal as
long as the button is pressed – up to
20 seconds.Erasing the remote control memory

Turn key in steering lock to position1
or2.

Simultaneously hold down the left and
right side buttons for approximately
20 seconds, or until the indicator lamp
blinks rapidly.
The codes of all three channels are
erased.iIf you sell your vehicle, erase the codes
of all three channels.

172 Controls in detailUseful featuresTrip computer*
The trip computer is located in the over-
head console.
1RESET
2MODE
3Display
Switching on the trip computer
Switch on ignition.
Display3 shows one of the available
functions.

If a function display does not appear,
press MODE2.Selecting functions

Press MODE2 repeatedly until the de-
sired display appears.
The functions are displayed in the follow-
ing order:


Date


Compass


Stop watch


Present fuel consumption


Average fuel consumption


Distance remaining


Country


Switching off trip computerSetting the date

Press MODE2 repeatedly until the
date appears.

Press RESET1.
The month shown blinks.

Press MODE2 to advance to selected
month.

Press RESET1.
The day shown blinks.

Press MODE2 to advance to selected
day.

Press RESET1.
The year shown blinks.

Press MODE2 to advance to selected
year.

Press RESET1.
The display stops blinking and the date
is set.
iWith engine not running, the display
switches off automatically 30 seconds
after the last entry.

173 Controls in detail
Useful features
Compass
The compass displays the direction the ve-
hicle is traveling. The display3 will show
you N, NE, E, SE, S, SW, W or NW.
To ensure the display is correct, the com-
pass must be set to the proper geographic
zone (
page 174). It may also be neces-
sary to calibrate the compass
(
page 174).
Zone map North America Zone map South America
iThe presence of buildings, bridges,
power lines and large antenna masts
can influence the displayed values. Me-
tallic or magnetic objects in or on the
vehicle can influence the accuracy of
the compass.

174 Controls in detailUseful featuresSetting the compass zone
Determine the geographical point of
the vehicle with the aid of the zone
maps.

Switch on the ignition.

Press MODE2 (
page 172) repeated-
ly until the compass display appears in
the trip computer display3.

Press RESET1 (
page 172) to select
the compass zone mode.
The zone selected last is shown in the
display.

Press RESET1 repeatedly until the cor-
rect compass zone, as determined
from the zone map, is shown in the dis-
play.

Press MODE2 twice.
The new compass zone is activated and
the compass display will be shown.Calibrating the compass
If the vehicle was exposed to a significant
magnetic zone, such as high voltage power
lines, the compass may have to be calibrat-
ed.
To calibrate the compass correctly, ob-
serve the following:


Calibrate the compass in an area free
of steel superstructures and power
lines.


Switch off all electrical consumers (e.g.
exterior lamps, climate control, rear
window defroster etc.).


Do not open or close the slid-
ing/pop-up roof.


Close doors and liftgate.

Start and run the engine.

Press MODE2 (
page 172) repeated-
ly until the compass display appears in
the trip computer display3.

Press RESET1 and afterwards press
MODE2.
In the display appears
CAL–
.

Press and hold RESET1 for approxi-
mately two seconds.
The calibration mode is activated and
the display shows
CAL
.

Drive without interruption two full cir-
cles at a speed between 3 mph
(5 km / h) and 7 mph (10 km / h).
The message
CAL
goes out after a short
time. The calibration is now complete.
iAn open liftgate triggers the
display
---
.

175 Controls in detail
Useful features
Stop watch
Press MODE2 (
page 172) repeated-
ly until the stop watch display appears
in the trip computer display3.
Counting

Press RESET1 (
page 172) to start
counting.Stopping

Press RESET1 again to stop counting.
Resetting

Press and hold RESET1 until the dis-
play shows “0:00”.
Average fuel consumption

Press MODE2 (
page 172) repeated-
ly until the average fuel consumption
display appears in the trip computer
display3.Distance remaining with fuel presently
in tank

Press MODE2 (
page 172) repeated-
ly until the distance remaining display
appears in the trip computer display3.
iIf CAL
remains in the display, calibration
was not successfully completed. You
have to recalibrate:


Remove the key from the steering
lock.


Start the vehicle and start the cali-
bration procedure described be-
fore.
We recommend that you have the com-
pass calibrated at a Mercedes-Benz
Light Truck Center.
iWhen the fuel supply drops to reserve
level the display flashes distance re-
maining.

USA only:
The display alternates between FUEL
and distance remaining until
supply is consistently below the re-
serve level. When the fuel supply is
very low [approximately 1.5 gal
(5.5 l)]
FUEL
is displayed
continuously.

176 Controls in detailUseful featuresCountry
Press MODE2 (
page 172) repeated-
ly until the country display appears in
the trip computer display3.

Press and hold RESET1 a minimum of
five seconds to change the country unit
system.
Canada units system selection
You can choose between CAN-English or
CAN-French.Setting CAN-English

Press RESET1 repeatedly until CAN is
displayed.

Press MODE2 to select
–ENG
.

Press MODE2 again to set CAN-En-
glish.Setting CAN-French

Press RESET1 repeatedly until CAN is
displayed.

Press MODE2. –ENG
is displayed.

Press RESET1 to select
–Fr
.

Press MODE2 to set CAN-French.
The language selected determines how the
various displays are presented, see table.
Display
Language
Date
Cardinal points
Fuel consumption
Distance remaining
GEr
German
DD.MM
Süd, Nord, Ost, West
l/100 km
Kilometer
GB
English
MM.DD
South, North, East, West
mi/gal (Imperial)
Miles
ESP
Spain
DD.MM
Sur, Norte, Este, Oeste
l/100 km
Kilometer
Fr
French
DD.MM
Sud, Nord, Est, Ouest
l/100 km
Kilometer
USA
American
MM.DD
South, North, East, West
mi/gal (US)
Miles
CAN-ENG
American
MM.DD
South, North, East, West
l/100 km
Kilometer
CAN-Fr
French
DD.MM
Sud, Nord, Est, Ouest
l/100 km
Kilometer

177 Operation
The first 1000 miles (1500 km)
Driving instructions
At the gas station
Engine compartment
Tires and wheels
Winter driving
Maintenance
Vehicle care

178 OperationThe first 1000 miles (1500 km)In the “Operation” section you will find de-
tailed information on operating, maintain-
ing and caring for your vehicle.
The first 1000 miles (1500 km)The more cautiously you treat your vehicle
during the break-in period, the more satis-
fied you will be with its performance later
on.

Drive your vehicle during the first
1000 miles (1500 km) at varying but
moderate vehicle and engine speeds.


During this period, avoid heavy loads
(full throttle driving) and excessive en-
gine speeds (no more than 2/3 of max-
imum rpm in each gear).


Avoid accelerating by kick-down.


Do not attempt to slow the vehicle
down by shifting to a lower gear using
the selector lever.


Select positions3, 2 or1 only when
driving at moderate speeds (for hill
driving).
After 1000 miles (1500 km) you may grad-
ually increase vehicle and engine speeds
to the permissible maximum.

179 Operation
Driving instructions
Driving instructions
Drive sensibly – save fuel
Fuel consumption, to a great extent, de-
pends on driving habits and operating con-
ditions.
To save fuel you should:

Keep tires at the recommended infla-
tion pressures


Remove unnecessary loads


Allow engine to warm up under low
load use


Avoid frequent acceleration and decel-
eration


Have all maintenance work performed
at regular intervals by an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center
Fuel consumption is also increased by driv-
ing in cold weather, in stop-and-go traffic,
on short trips and in hilly country.
Drinking and driving
PedalsPower assistance
Warning!
G
Drinking and driving and/or taking drugs
and driving are a very dangerous combina-
tion. Even a small amount of alcohol or
drugs can affect your reflexes, perceptions
and judgement.
The possibility of a serious or even fatal ac-
cident is sharply increased when you drink
or take drugs and drive.
Don’t drink or take drugs and drive or allow
anyone to drive after drinking or taking
drugs.
Warning!
G
Keep driver’s foot area clear at all times. Ob-
jects stored in this area may impair pedal
movement.Warning!
G
When the engine is not running, there is no
power assistance for the steering system. In
this case, it is important to keep in mind that
a considerably higher degree of effort is nec-
essary to steer the vehicle.

180 OperationDriving instructionsBrakes
To help prevent brake disk corrosion after
driving on wet road surfaces (particularly
salted roads), it is advisable to brake the
vehicle with considerable force prior to
parking. The heat generated serves to dry
the brakes.
If your brake system is normally only sub-
jected to moderate loads, you should occa-
sionally test the effectiveness of the
brakes by applying above-normal braking
pressure at higher speeds. This will also
enhance the grip of the brake pads.If the parking brake is released and the
brake warning lamp in the instrument clus-
ter stays on and there is no audible warn-
ing (EBP), the brake fluid level in the
reservoir is too low.
Brake pad wear or a leak in the system may
be the reason for low brake fluid in the res-
ervoir.
Have the brake system inspected at an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck
Center immediately.
All checks and service work on the brake
system should be carried out by an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center.Warning!
G
After driving in heavy rain for some time
without applying the brakes or through wa-
ter deep enough to wet brake components,
the first braking action may be somewhat
reduced and increased pedal pressure may
be necessary to obtain expected braking ef-
fect. Maintain a safe distance from vehicles
in front.
Resting your foot on the brake pedal will
cause excessive and premature wear of the
brake pads.
It can also result in the brakes overheating,
thereby significantly reducing their effec-
tiveness. It may not be possible to stop the
vehicle in sufficient time to avoid an acci-
dent.
!Be very careful not to endanger other
road users when you apply the brakes.
Refer to the description of the Brake
Assist System (BAS) (
page 73).