2002 MERCEDES-BENZ ML320 range

220 Driving systems
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
If the charging voltage falls below 10 volts, the
malfunction indicator lamp comes on and the ABS is
switched off. When the voltage is above this value again,
the malfunction indicator lamp should go out and the
ABS is operational.
If the ABS malfunction indicator lamp stays illuminated,
have the system checked at your authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center as soon as possible.Notes:
To alert following vehicles to slippery road conditions
you discover, operate your hazard warning flashers as
appropriate.
Operating the vehicle on a single axle dynamometer
should only be done for briefly testing the brakes. To do
so, move selector lever to position “N”. The engine must
be shut off (key in steering lock position 0 or 1).
LOW RANGE – ABS
During off-road driving a special low range system for
the antilock brake system (ABS) is operational with
transmission in LOW RANGE mode, see page 229.
When applying the service brakes at speeds below
approximately 18 mph (30 km / h), the front wheels are
locked cyclically to shorten the braking distance (dig in
effect). This affects steering the vehicle.
Wa r n i n g !
ABS cannot prevent the natural laws of physics
from acting on the vehicle, nor can it increase
braking or steering efficiency beyond that afforded
by the condition of the vehicle brakes and tires or
the traction afforded. The ABS cannot prevent
accidents, including those resulting from excessive
speed in turns, following another vehicle too
closely, or aquaplaning. Only a safe, attentive, and
skillful driver can prevent accidents. The
capabilities of an ABS equipped vehicle must never
be exploited in a reckless or dangerous manner
which could jeopardize the user’s safety or the
safety of others.

222 Driving systems
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Note:
In winter operation, the maximum effectiveness of the
electronic traction system is only achieved with
Mercedes-Benz recommended M+S rated radial-ply tires
and / or snow chains.
LOW RANGE – 4-ETS+
During off-road driving a special low range system for
the four wheel electronic traction system (4-ETS+) is
operational with transmission in LOW RANGE mode,
see page 229.
If one or more tires lose traction while driving downhill
(accelerator released), the 4-ETS+ engages and the
warning lampv, located in the speedometer dial,
starts to flash.Electronic brake proportioning (EBP)
The EBP enhances braking effectiveness by allowing the
rear brakes to supply a greater proportion of the braking
effort without a loss of vehicle stability.
If a warning tone sounds for five seconds and the
symbols É and - are displayed in the instrument
cluster, the system has detected a malfunction and is
switched off. Have the system checked immediately at
an authorized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center.
Failure to do so could result in an accident, since the
enhanced braking effect is not available when the
system is switched off.
Note:
When the EBP is switched off, every time the engine is
started, a warning tone will sound for five seconds and
the symbols É and - will light up. In addition,
whenever the brakes are applied at speeds exceeding
25 mph (40 km / h), the warning tone sounds for five
seconds.

226 Driving systems
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
If one drive wheel loses traction and begins to spin, the
brake is applied until the wheel regains sufficient
traction. The traction control engages at vehicle speeds
up to approx. 24 mph (40 km / h), and switches off at
50 mph (80 km / h).
Note:
Avoid spinning of one drive wheel. This may cause
serious damage to the drive train which is not covered
by the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
The ESP warning lamp, located in the speedometer dial,
starts to flash at any vehicle speed as soon as the tires
lose traction and the wheels begin to spin.
To return to the enhanced vehicle stability offered by
ESP: press lower half of the switch (the ESP warning
lamp in the speedometer dial goes out).Important!
If the ESP warning lamp flashes:
•During take-off, apply as little throttle as possible,
•While driving, ease up on the accelerator.
•Adapt your speed and driving to the prevailing road
conditions.
•Do not switch off the ESP.
LOW RANGE – ESP
During off-road driving a special low range system for
the electronic stability program (ESP) is operational
with transmission in LOW RANGE mode, see page 229.
In the LOW RANGE mode the electronic stability
program (ESP) operates in a traction improving fashion
specifically adapted for off-road driving. At speeds
below 27 mph (45 km / h) the ESP assists in over-/
understeering, thus improving vehicle tracking.

227 Driving systems
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Transmission control – LOW RANGE mode
The switch is located in the instrument panel.
Important!
When switching to or from the LOW RANGE mode,
observe the following:
•The vehicle must be at a complete standstill.
•The engine speed must not exceed 1500 rpm.Failure to do so may result in transmission / engine
damage not covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty
The LOW RANGE mode should be switched on:
•during off-road driving,
•when crossing waters,
•when towing up or down on steep gradients,
or additional practical hints refer to off-road driving
on page 202.
Important!
Operating the vehicle on a single axle dynamometer
should only be done for briefly testing the brakes. To do
so, turn key in steering lock to position 1.

228 Driving systems
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Switching on:
1. Stop the vehicle.
2. Move transmission selector lever to position “N”.
3. Push top end of switch. The LOW RANGE indicator
lamp in the instrument cluster blinks three times
during the changeover.
Once the changeover is complete, the indicator lamp in
the instrument cluster lights up continuously.
Note:
If the indicator lamp blinks fast, one or more switching
conditions were not observed, or the LOW RANGE mode
is defective.Switching off:
1. S to p t h e ve h i c l e .
2. Move transmission selector lever to position “N”.
3. Push top end of switch. The LOW RANGE indicator
lamp in the instrument cluster three times during
the changeover.
Once the changeover is complete, the indicator lamp in
the instrument cluster goes out. Use the gear selector
lever normally.
Note:
If the indicator lamp blinks fast, one or more switching
conditions were not observed, or the LOW RANGE mode
is defective.

229 Driving systems
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Important!
During off-road driving a special low range system for
antilock brake system (ABS) and four-wheel electronic
traction system (4-ETS+) are operational with
transmission in the LOW RANGE mode.
In the low range mode the electronic stability program
(ESP) operates in a traction improving fashion
specifically adapted for off-road driving. At speeds
below 27 mph (45 km / h) the ESP assists in over- /
understeering, thus improving vehicle tracking.
If one or more tires lose traction while driving downhill
(accelerator released), the 4-ETS+ engages and the
warning lampv, located in the speedometer dial,
starts to flash.
When applying the service brakes at speeds below
approximately 18 mph (30 km / h), the front wheels are
locked cyclically to shorten the braking distance (dig in
effect). This affects steering the vehicle.Notes:
Driving off or driving up to 3 mph (5 km / h) with the
service brakes applied lightly (to reduce drive wheel
spin), the 4-ETS+ remains engaged. Driving with the
service brakes applied lightly at vehicles speeds above
3 mph (5 km / h), the 4-ETS+ will not engage.
If the indicator lamp blinks fast, one or more switching
conditions were not observed, or the LOW RANGE mode
is defective.
In the case of a defective in the LOW RANGE mode the
transmission shifts in the usual manner. It is not
possible to switch on the LOW RANGE mode.
Have the transmission checked at your authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center as soon as possible.

239 Contents - Instrument cluster display
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Instrument cluster displayMalfunction and
indicator lamps in
the instrument cluster .............240
On-board diagnostic system –
Check engine malfunction
indicator lamp .............................240
Brake warning lamp .................. 241
Supplemental restraint system
(SRS) indicator lamp ..................242
Fuel reserve warning .................242Electronic stability program
(ESP) / Electronic traction
system (ETS) – warning lamp .. 243
BAS/ESP malfunction
indicator lamp ............................ 243
4-ETS malfunction
indicator lamp ............................ 243
LOW RANGE
indicator lamp ............................ 243
ABS malfunction
indicator lamp ............................ 244
Adjustable steering wheel –
indicator lamp ............................ 244
AIRBAG OFF
indicator lamp ............................ 244Seat belt warning lamp .............245
Charge indicator lamp ...............245
Low engine oil level
warning lamp ..............................246
Low engine coolant level
warning ........................................246
Low windshield and
headlamp washer system fluid
level warning lamp ....................247
Brake pad wear i
ndicator lamp ..............................247
FSS indicator ...............................247

243 Malfunction and indicator lamps
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Electronic stability program (ESP)/Electronic
traction system (4-ETS+) — warning lamp
The yellow warning lamp in the
speedometer dial comes on with the key in
steering lock position 2. It should go out
with engine running.
See page 221 for 4-ETS+ and page 223 for ESP if the
warning lamp lights up or flashes when the vehicle is
moving.
BAS/ESP malfunction indicator lamp
The malfunction indicator lamp for the ESP
is combined with that of the BAS.
The yellow BAS / ESP malfunction indicator
lamp in the instrument cluster comes on with the key in
steering lock position 2. It should go out with the engine
running.
If the BAS / ESP malfunction indicator lamp remains
illuminated with the engine running, see page 217 for
BAS and page 223 for ESP.4-ETS+ malfunction indicator lamp
The yellow ETS malfunction indicator lamp
in the instrument cluster comes on with the
key in steering lock position 2. It should go
out with the engine running.
If the ETS malfunction indicator lamp remains
illuminated with the engine running a malfunction has
been detected, see page 221 for 4-ETS+.
LOW RANGE indicator lamp
The yellow LOW RANGE indicator lamp in
the instrument cluster comes on with the
key in steering lock position 2. With the
LOW RANGE mode deactivated it should go out with the
engine running.
With the LOW RANGE mode activated the LOW RANGE
indicator lamp is illuminated continuously.
If the indicator lamp blinks fast, one or more switching
conditions were not observed, or the LOW RANGE mode
is defective, see page 227 for LOW RANGE mode.
BAS
ESP
ETSLOW
RANGE