2002 MERCEDES-BENZ ML430 wheel

110 Automatic climate control
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Front display and controls
1Air volume control wheel
2Temperature control
3Air distribution control wheel4Defrosting, see page 115
5Air recirculation, see page 116
6Automatic mode AUTO
Automatic control of temperature, air distribution
and air volume
7AC
OFF
, economy mode see page 117
Residual engine heat utilization, see page 117
8Rear window defroster, see page 121
9Rear passenger compartment ventilation switched
off, see page 118
10Interior temperature sensor
Important!
This vehicle is equipped with an air conditioner system
that uses R–134a (HFC: hydrofluorocarbon) as a
refrigerant. Repairs should always be performed by a
qualified technician, and refrigerant should be collected
in a recovery system for recycling.
1
2
3
45
6
10
89
P83.30-3550-26
7

112 Automatic climate control
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Basic setting - automatic mode
To a c ti va te :
With the engine running, briefly press the Ubutton.
The indicator lamp in the Ubutton lights up. The
temperature, air volume and distribution are controlled
automatically.
Temperature can be adjusted with the temperature
control, which is located in the center.
Turning the control wheel to either the blue or red dot
switches off the temperature regulation.
To deactivate:
Briefly press the Ubutton. The indicator lamp in the
Ubutton goes out. The automatic mode is switched
off, air volume control is set to fan speed 2 and air
distribution is set to positionV.To activate basic setting:
Press Ubutton at least 3 seconds.
All functions are switched to automatic mode and
temperature is set to 72˚F (22˚C).
The rear window defroster may be switched on
manually.
P83.30-3551-21

114 Automatic climate control
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Special settings (use only for short duration)
Turning the air volume control wheel or air distribution
wheel switches off the automatic mode.
The temperature control will be still in automatic mode.
The fan speed and air distribution can be manually
selected.
The indicator lamp in the Ubutton goes out.
The set value is indicated by a lighted segment on the
setting wheels.
To return to automatic mode:
Press Ubutton. The indicator lamp in the button
illuminates and the lighted segments on the air volume
and air distribution wheel go out.Air volume, manual:
The air volume control wheel has 5 fan speeds which
can be selected.
Important!
No fresh air enters the interior with the air volume
control set to0. The system is switched off.
Air distribution, manual:
jAir from the windshield and side air outlets.
VAir from the windshield, center, side and footwell
air outlets.
kAir from the footwell and side air outlets.
hAir from the center and side air outlets.
P83.30-3549-21

115 Automatic climate control
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Defrosting / Windows fogged up on the inside
To a c ti va te :
Press the Pbutton. The indicator lamp in the button
illuminates.
The automatic climate control switches automatically to:
•maximum heat and blower output
•air from the side and windshield air outlets
•Rear passenger ventilation is switched off.
To deactivate:
Press Pbutton again or Ubutton. The indicator
lamp in button goes out and the system returns to the
previous setting.
Note:
If the automatic climate control is in the defrost mode,
the rear window defroster may still be switched on
manually. No other settings are possible.Windshield fogged up on outside.
Switch on the windshield wiper.
Set air distribution wheel to positionj.

118 Automatic climate control
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Switching the automatic climate control on and off
To s witch of f:
Set air volume control wheel to position0.
The indicator lamp in the Ubutton goes out.
The fresh air supply to the vehicle interior is shut off.
While driving, use this setting only temporarily,
otherwise the windshield could fog up.
To s witch on:
Press the Ubutton. The indicator lamp in the button
illuminates.Switching off the rear passenger compartment
ventilation and rear passenger climate control
For an improved cooling or heating output in the front
passenger compartment, the rear passenger
compartment ventilation can be switched off.
To s w i tch o f f :
Press the REAR-OFF button, see page 110. The indicator
lamp in the button illuminates.
The operation of the rear automatic climate control in
the center console and the fresh air supply to the rear
compartment is shut off.
To a c t i va t e :
Press REAR-OFF button again. The indicator lamp in the
button goes out.
The rear automatic climate control in the center console
switches to automatic mode and fresh air enters the rear
compartment.
For notes on the rear passenger compartment climate
control, see page 119.

163 Contents - Driving
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
DrivingControl and operation of
radio transmitters ..................... 164
The first 1 000 miles
(1 500 km) ................................. 165
Maintenance ................................... 165
Tele Aid ........................................... 166
Catalytic converter ........................ 178
Emission control ............................ 179
Steering lock ................................... 180
Starting and turning off
the engine .................................. 182
Automatic transmission ............... 183
Parking brake ................................. 191Driving instructions .......................192
Drive sensibly – save fuel .........192
Drinking and driving .................192
Pedals ...........................................192
Power assistance .........................193
Brakes ...........................................193
Driving off ....................................194
Parking .........................................195
Tires ..............................................195
Snow chains ................................199
Winter driving instructions ......199
Deep water .................................. 201
Passenger compartment ........... 201
Traveling abroad ........................ 201
Off-Road driving ............................ 202
Trailer towing ................................ 209
Cruise control .................................214Brake assi st system
(BAS) ........................................... 217
Antilock brake system
(ABS) ........................................... 219
Four-wheel electronic
traction system (4-ETS+) .......... 221
Electronic brake proportioning
(EBP) ...........................................222
Electronic stability program
(ESP) ...........................................223
Transmission control –
LOW RANGE mode ...................227
Parking assist
(Parktronic) ..............................230
What you should know
at the gas station .......................235
Check regularly and
before a long trip ......................238

180 Steering lock
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Steering lock
0The key can be withdrawn in this position only. The
steering is locked when the key is removed from the
steering lock. If necessary, move steering wheel
slightly to allow the locking mechanism to engage.
The key can only be removed with the selector lever
in position “P”. After removing the key or with the
key in steering lock position 0 or 1 the selector lever
is locked in position “P”.1Steering is unlocked.
(If necessary, move steering wheel slightly to allow
the key to be turned clockwise to position 1.) Most
electrical consumers can be operated. For detailed
information see respective subjects.
2Driving position.
Selector lever is unlocked.
To move the selector lever out of position “P” firmly
depress the service brake pedal.
3Starting position.
See page 182 for starting and turning off the engine.
Wa r n i n g !
When leaving the vehicle always remove the key
from the steering lock, and lock the vehicle. 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.

185 Automatic transmission
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Maneuvering
To maneuver in tight areas, e.g. when pulling into a
parking space, control the vehicle speed by gradually
releasing the brakes. Accelerate gently and never
abruptly step on the accelerator.
To rock a vehicle out of soft ground (mud or snow),
alternately shift from forward to reverse, while applying
slight partial throttle.
Rocking a vehicle free in this manner may cause the
ABS or traction system malfunction indicator lamp to
come on. Turn off and restart the engine to clear the
malfunction indication.Towing a trailer
If the transmission hunts between gears on inclines,
manually shift to a lower gear (select “4”, “3”, “2”
or “1”). A lower gear and reduction of speed reduces the
chance of engine overloading and / or overheating.
At very steep inclines, not manageable with selector
lever in position “1”, switch transfer case to LOW
RANGE, see page 227 for instructions on how to engage
LOW RANGE.
For instructions on trailer towing refer to page 209.
Wa r n i n g !
Getting out of your vehicle with the selector lever
not fully engaged in position “P” is dangerous.
Also, when parked on an incline, position “P” alone
may not prevent your vehicle from moving,
possibly hitting people or objects.Always set the parking brake in addition to shifting
to position “P”, see page 191 for parking brake. When parked on an incline, also turn front wheel
against curb.
Wa r n i n g !
When leaving the vehicle always remove the key
from the steering lock, and lock the vehicle. Do not
leave children unattended in the vehicle, or with
access to an unlocked vehicle. Children could move
the gear selector lever from position “P”, which
could result in an accident or serious injury.