2002 MERCEDES-BENZ ML430 tow

251 Fuses
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index Fuse box in engine compartment
1Fuse box in engine compartment
To gain access to the fuse box, release clamps
(arrows), lift the fuse box cover (1) up and remove it.
To close the fuse box, engage back end of cover,
close, and secure with clamps.Auxiliary fuse box in front passenger footwell
2Auxiliary fuse box in front passenger compartment
To gain access to the fuse box, turn both locks (3)
90
° counterclockwise and remove cover in direction
of arrow.
To close the fuse box, engage back end of cover, slide
the cover towards vehicle front and secure by
turning both locks (3) clockwise to the stop.
1

252 Electrical outlet
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index
Electrical outlet
Two electrical outlets can be found, one at the front
passenger footwell, and the other in the rear
compartment (always operational).To o p e n :
Flip up cover and insert electrical plug (cigar lighter
type).
Note:
The electrical outlets can be used to accommodate
accessories (e.g. air pump, auxiliary lamps) up to
maximum 180 W.
Stowing items in the vehicle
Wa r n i n g !
To help avoid personal injury during a collision or
sudden maneuver, always use partition net when
transporting cargo. Always fasten items being
carried as securely as possible using cargo tie-
down rings and fastening materials appropriate for
the weight and size of the load.

277 Towing
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index Towing the vehicle
Important!
When towing the vehicle, please, note the following:
With the automatic central locking activated and the
engine running, the vehicle doors lock if the left front
wheel is turning at vehicle speeds of approximately
9 mph (15 km / h) or more.
To prevent the vehicle door locks from locking,
deactivate the automatic central locking, see page 33.The front towing eye is located on the passenger side
below the bumper.
1Towin g eye, fr on t
Wa r n i n g !
Prior to towing the vehicle with all wheels on the
ground, make certain that the key is in steering
lock position 2.
P88.20-2191-26

278 Towing
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index
ML 320, ML 500The rear towing eye is located behind the right side
cover in the bumper panel.
2Towin g eye, rea r
Cover removal:
Using a flat blade screwdriver pry out the cover.
Cover installation:
Engage cover at bottom and press in top securely.
P88.20-2192-26

279 Towing
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index ML 55 AMG and vehicles with optional sport package.
The rear towing eye is located behind the right side
cover (1) in the bumper panel.
3Cover
4Tow i n g eye , r e a rCover removal:
Grip cover at bottom and securely pull out.
Cover installation:
Engage cover and press in securely.
We recommend that the vehicle be transported using
flat bed equipment. This method is preferable to other
types of towing.
The vehicle may be towed with all wheels on the ground
and the selector lever in position “N” for distances up to
30 miles (50 km) and at a speed not to exceed 30 mph
(50 km / h). The key must be in steering lock position 2.
Note:
The steering lock cannot be locked or unlocked and the
selector lever remains in position “P” if the battery is
disconnected or discharged (see page 273). See
page 281 for transmission selector lever, manually
unlocking.
Wa r n i n g !
In order to avoid possible serious burns or injury,
use extreme caution when removing the cover,
because the rear exhaust pipe is extremely hot.

280 Towing
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index
To be certain to avoid additional damage to the vehicle
powertrain, however you should do the following:
•With damage to front axle, raise front axle. Remove
flexible drive shaft between rear axle and transfer
case
•With damage to rear axle, raise rear axle and tow
vehicle with wheel lift or dolly placed under front
wheels.
•With damage to transfer case, remove flexible drive
shafts to the drive axles.
Note:
Always install new self-locking nuts when reinstalling
the flexible drive shaft.Caution!
If the vehicle is towed with the front axle raised, the
engine must be shut off (key in steering lock position 1).
Otherwise, the 4-ETS+ may become engaged which may
cause loss of towing control. Switch off the tow-away
alarm (see page 37) as well as the ESP (see page 225).
Note:
To signal turns while being towed with hazard warning
flasher in use, turn key in steering lock to position 2
and activate combination switch for left or right turn
signal in usual manner. Now deactivate the hazard
warning flasher, only the selected turn signal will
operate. Upon canceling the turn signal, the hazard
warning flasher must be activated again.
Wa r n i n g !
With the engine not running, there is no power
assistance for the braking and steering systems. In
this case, it is important to keep in mind that a
considerably higher degree of effort is necessary to
brake and steer the vehicle.

281 Towing
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index Transmission selector lever, manually unlocking
In the case of power failure the transmission selector
lever can be manually unlocked, e.g. to tow the vehicle.
To do so, insert a pin (1), e.g. ball point pen, into the
covered opening below the position “D” of the shift
pattern. While pushing the pin down, move selector
lever from position “P”.
After removal of the pin from the opening, the cover will
not close fully. Only after moving the selector lever to
position “D–” does the cover return to its closed
position.Stranded vehicle
Freeing a stranded vehicle, on which the wheels are dug
into sand or mud, should be done with the greatest of
care, especially if the vehicle is heavily loaded.
Avoid pulling the vehicle jerkily or diagonally, since it
could result in damage to the chassis alignment.
Never try to free a vehicle that is still coupled to a
trailer.
If possible, a vehicle equipped with trailer hitch receiver
should be pulled backward in its own previously made
tracks.
P27.60-2186-26
1

286 Exterior lamps
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index
Fog lamp assembly
The foglamps are located in the front bumper.
Check and readjust foglamps at regular intervals and
when a bulb has been replaced.
Removing fog lamp assembly:
Remove foglamp holder from bumper by pressing
locking tab of fog lamp holder using a suitable tool
(e.g. screw driver). Swing fog lamp holder out of bumper
and remove fog lamp from holder.1Bulbs for fog lamps
H8 35 W
2Ta b s
Remove connector from lamp (1), turn lamp socket
towards left and pull out. Remove bulb.
Insert new bulb into lamp socket and insert into
housing. Turn socket towards right.
During fog lamp installation, make sure that fog lamp
tabs (2) firmly seat into the slots of the holder.
P82.10-2764-26