2002 MERCEDES-BENZ ML320 center console

137 Interior equipment
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Ashtrays
Center console
By touching the top of the cover lightly, the ashtray
opens automatically.
To remove ashtray: Pull up and remove ashtray insert.Rear passenger compartment
To u ch c ove r to o p e n .
To o p e n a s h t r ay :
Touch ashtray (1), it opens automatically.
To remove ashtray:
Open ashtray (1) and pull out the ashtray insert.
Close the ashtray before folding the rear seat bench.
Wa r n i n g !
Remove front ashtray only with vehicle standing
still. Turn off the engine and set the parking brake.
Otherwise the vehicle might move as a result of
unintended contact with the gear selector lever.
P68.20-2336-26
P68.00-2597-26
1

138 Interior equipment
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Lighter
1Center console lighter
Turn key in steering lock to position 1 or 2.
Push in lighter (1); it will pop out automatically when
hot.
Note:
The lighter socket can be used to accommodate
electrical accessories up to maximum 50 W.2Rear passenger compartment lighter
P68.20-2337-26
1
Wa r n i n g !
Never touch the heating element or sides of the
lighter, they are extremely hot, hold at knob only.When leaving the vehicle always remove the key
from the steering lock. 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.

139 Interior equipment
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Split rear seat bench
The rear seat bench can be moved fore / aft, folded and
lowered to increase the cargo area. The left, right or
both seat back sections may folded down according to
need.To slide rear seat bench fore / aft:
1. Pull lever (1) in direction of arrow, and slide seat
bench section to desired position until it locks in
place.
To enlarge cargo area:
1. Close cup holder in rear center console.
2. Move front seats forward, see page 40 for manual
seats and page 41 for power seats.
3. Pull lever (1) in direction of arrow, and slide seat
bench section forward.
4. Remove head restraint(s). The head restraint(s)
should be stored beneath the cargo floor plates.

225 Driving systems
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index ESP control switch
ESP control switch located in center console.
To switch ESP off, press upper half of switch.
ESP warning lamp v, located in speedometer dial,
comes on.
To switch ESP on again, press lower half of switch.
ESP warning lamp v, located in speedometer dial,
goes out.To improve the vehicle’s traction when driving with
snow chains, or starting off in deep snow, sand or gravel,
or off-road driving, switch off ESP by pressing the upper
half of the ESP switch. The ESP warning lampv,
located in the speedometer dial, is continuously
illuminated.
With the ESP system switched off, the engine torque
reduction feature is cancelled. Therefore, the enhanced
vehicle stability offered by ESP is unavailable.
A portion of the ESP system remains active, even with
the switch in the OFF position.
P54.25-2037-26
Wa r n i n g !
ESP should not be switched off during normal
driving other than in circumstances described
above. Disabling of the system will reduce vehicle
stability in standard driving maneuvers.
When the ESP warning lamp is illuminated
continuously, the ESP is switched off.
Adapt your speed and driving to the prevailing road
conditions.

230 Parking system
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Parking assist (Parktronic)
(optional)
The Parktronic system assists the driver during parking
maneuvers. It visually and audibly indicates the
distance between the vehicle and an obstacle.
The front area of the vehicle is monitored when driving
forward. When reversing, the rear areas are monitored.
With the electronic key in steering lock position 2,
Parktronic engages automatically at speeds up to
approximately 10 mph (15 km / h) and deactivates
during higher speeds.
Parktronic can be switched off by a control switch
located in the center console. It engages automatically
again when starting the engine.
See page 234 for parktronic switch.
Wa r n i n g !
Parktronic is a supplemental system. It is not
intended to nor does it replace the need for extreme
care. The responsibility during parking and other
critical maneuvers rests always with the driver.Special attention must be paid to objects having
smooth surfaces or low silhouettes (e.g. trailer
couplings, painted posts, or street curbs). Such
objects may not be detected by the system and can
damage the vehicle.The operational function of the Parktronic can be
affected by dirty sensors, especially at times of
snow and ice. See page 301 for notes on cleaning
the parktronic system sensors.Interference caused by other ultrasonic signals
(e.g. working jackhammers or the air brakes of
trucks) can cause the system to send erratic
indications, and should be taken into
consideration.

234 Parking system
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
All yellow and one or both red segments light up.
Additionally, there is an acoustic warning lasting
approximately 3 seconds.
The obstacle may not be recognized if outside the
shaded sensor field, and no longer be indicated when
approaching it any closer (warning indicators go out).
Parktronic malfunction
All red segments of the warning indicators light up, and
a warning sounds for 3 seconds, if Parktronic does not
function properly.
A dirty sensor or other ultrasonic signals could be the
reason. See page 301 for instructions on cleaning the
sensors in the bumpers.
After cleaning the sensors, turn electronic key in
steering lock to position 2. If a malfunction continues to
be displayed, have the system checked at your
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.Parktronic switch
The switch is located on the center console.
1Parktronic switched off
2Parktronic switched on
3Indicator lamp – comes on when Parktronic is
switched off
The parktronic system is switched on again when
turning the electronic key in steering lock position 2.3

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