2002 MERCEDES-BENZ ML320 Auto

300 Cleaning and care of the vehicle
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar careIndex
Engine cleaning
Prior to cleaning the engine compartment make sure to
protect electrical components and connectors from the
intrusion of water and cleaning agents.
Corrosion protection, such as MB Anticorrosion Wax
should be applied to the engine compartment after
every engine cleaning. Before applying, all control
linkage bushings and joints should be lubricated. The
poly-V-belt and all pulleys should be protected from any
wax.
Vehicle washing
Do not use hot water or wash your vehicle in direct
sunlight. Use only a mild car wash detergent, such as
Mercedes-Benz approved Car Shampoo.
Thoroughly spray the vehicle with a diffused jet of
water. Direct only a very weak spray towards the
ventilation intake. Use plenty of water and rinse the
sponge and chamois frequently.
Rinse with clear water and thoroughly wipe dry with a
chamois. Do not allow cleaning agents to dry on the
finish.Due to the width of the vehicle, prior to running the
vehicle through an automatic car wash, fold back the
outside mirrors to prevent them from getting damaged.
In the winter, thoroughly remove all traces of road salt
as soon as possible.
When washing the underbody, do not forget to clean the
inner sides of the wheels.
Ornamental moldings
For regular cleaning and care of very dirty chrome-
plated parts, use a chrome cleaner.
Headlamps, taillamps, turn signal lenses
Use a mild car wash detergent, such as Mercedes-Benz
approved Car Shampoo, with plenty of water.
To prevent scratches, never apply strong force and use
only a soft, non-scratchy cloth when cleaning the lenses.
Do not attempt to wipe dirty lenses with a dry cloth or
sponge.

301 Cleaning and care of the vehicle
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar careIndex Cleaning the parktronic system sensors
Use a mild car wash detergent, such as Mercedes-Benz
approved Car Shampoo, with plenty of water.
When using a steam cleaner or power washer, aim
nozzle only briefly from a minimum distance of 4 in.
(10 cm) at sensors (1).
To prevent scratches, never apply strong force and use
only a soft, non-scratchy cloth when cleaning the
sensors. Do not attempt to wipe dirty sensors with a dry
cloth or sponge.Window cleaning
Use a window cleaning solution on all glass surfaces. An
automotive glass cleaner is recommended.
Note:
For safety reasons, switch off wipers and remove key
from steering lock before cleaning the windshield,
otherwise the wiper motor can suddenly turn on and
cause injury.
Wiper blades
Clean the wiper blade inserts with a clean cloth and
detergent solution.
Note:
For safety reasons, switch off wipers and remove key
from steering lock before cleaning the wiper blades,
otherwise the wiper motor can suddenly turn on and
cause injury.
1
1
1P54.65-2366-26

308 Technical data
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Layout of poly-V-belt drive 1Automatic belt tensioner
2Crankshaft
3Air conditioner compressor
4Coolant pump
5Generator (alternator)
6Idler pulley
7Power steering pump
For dimensions of the poly-V-belt, see technical data.

314 Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc. - capacities
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc. – capacities
Vehicle components and their respective lubricants must match. Therefore use only brands tested and recommended
by us. Please refer to the Factory Approved Service Products pamphlet, or inquire at your Mercedes-Benz Light Truck
Center.
Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc. Model Capacity
Engine with oil filter
(recommended engine oils)ML 320 / ML 500
ML 55 AMG8.5 US qt (8.0 l)
8.0 US qt (7.5 l)
Automatic transmission
(automatic transmission fluid)9.0 US qt (8.5 l)
Transfer case
(Dexron 3 or Dexron 2E)1.6 US qt (1.5 l)
Rear axle
(Hypoid gear oil SAE 90, 85 W 90)1.3 US qt (1.25 l)
Front axle
(Hypoid gear oil SAE 90)1.2 US qt (1.1 l)
Power steering
(MB Power steering fluid)approx. 0.65 US qt (0.6 l)
Front wheel hubs
(high temperature roller bearing grease)approx. 1.5 oz (43 g) each

322 Index
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car careIndex
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
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
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
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

328 Index
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car careIndex
Instrument cluster ........................................................... 82
Activating display ....................................................... 86
Display illumination ................................................... 86
Indicator lamps ........................................................... 84
Malfunction and indicator lamps ...........................240
Instrument lamps ............................................................ 86
Instruments and controls ............................................... 18
Interior
General notes ............................................................. 132
Interior lighting ............................................................. 128
JJump starting ..................................................................275KKeys, changing batteries
in the electronic key ................................................. 292
Keys, vehicle ..................................................................... 24
LLamps, exterior .............................................................. 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
Layout of poly-V-belt ..................................................... 308
Liftgate ............................................................................... 34
Unlocking .....................................................................27
Lighter ............................................................................. 138
Limp home mode
(Automatic transmission) ........................................ 190
Loading instructions ...................................................... 154