2002 MERCEDES-BENZ ML55AMG airbag

1 Contents
IntroductionProduct information .......................... 7
Roadside assistance ......................... 10
Where to find it ................................ 14
Reporting Safety Defects ................ 16Instruments and controlsInstruments and controls ............... 18
Center console .............................. 20
Overhead control panel ............... 21OperationVehicle keys ...................................... 24
Start lock-out .................................... 25
General notes on the
central locking system ............... 25
Central locking system ................... 26
Radio frequency
remote control .............................. 26
Unlocking the liftgate .................. 27
Panic button .................................. 28
Mechanical keys ........................... 29Doors ................................................. 30
Central locking switch .................... 32
Automatic central locking .............. 33
Emergency unlocking
in case of accident ...................... 33
Liftgate .............................................. 34
Antitheft alarm system ................... 36
Tow-away alarm and
glass breakage sensor ............... 37
Seats, front ....................................... 38
Manual seats ................................ 40
Power seats .................................... 41
Head restraint .............................. 42
Memory function ......................... 43
Heated seats ..................................... 46
Seat belts and
integrated restraint system ....... 48
Seat belts .......................................... 48
Seat belt nonusage
warning system ............................ 49
BabySmart
TM airbag
deactivation system ................... 55
Self-test BabySmart
TM without
special child seat installed ......... 55Supplemental restraint
system (SRS) ................................ 56
Emergency tensioning
retractor (ETR) ............................. 57
Airbags .............................................. 58
Safety guidelines for
the seat belt, emergency
tensioning retractor
and airbag ..................................... 66
Infant and
child restraint systems ................ 68
Adjustable steering wheel .............. 74
Inside rear view mirror .................. 75
Antiglare night position .............. 75
Exterior rear view mirrors ............. 77
Exterior rear view mirror,
electrically folding ....................... 79
Instrument cluster ........................... 82
Indicator lamps in
the instrument cluster ............... 84
Trip computer ................................... 89
Flexible service system
(FSS) .............................................. 94
Engine oil level indicator ................ 96
Exterior lamp switch ....................... 97

4 Contents
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

19 Instruments and controls
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index 1Cup holder, see page 132
2Parking brake release, see page 191
3Parking brake pedal, see page 191
4Steering wheel adjustment lever, see page 74
5Headlamp washer switch, see page 104
6Exterior lamp switch, see page 97
7Cruise control switch, see page 214
8Instrument cluster, see page 82
9Hazard warning flasher switch, see page 104
10Horn (with key in steering lock position 1 or 2),
Driver airbag, see page 58
11Steering lock with ignition / starter switch, see
page 180
12Windshield wiper / washer switch, see page 105
13Voice recognition system switch (optional only for
Canada), see separate operating instructions
14Parking assist warning indicators, see page 230
15Transmission control switch– LOW RANGE mode,
see page 22716Indicator lamp for antitheft alarm system
17Front fog lamp / rear fog lamp switch, see page 103
18MCS (Optional Modular Control System), see
separate operator’s manual
19Front passenger airbag, see page 58
20Glove box (illuminated with key in steering lock
position 1 or 2)
21Cup holder, see page 132
22Storage compartment
23Electrical outlet, see page 252
24Automatic climate control switch, see page 108
Rear window defroster switch, see page 121
25Left front seat heater switch, see page 46
26Switch for rear quarter window, left, see page 125
27Switch for rear window washer /wiper, see page 106
28ESP control switch, see page 225
29Switch for rear quarter window, right, see page 125
30Right front seat heater switch, see page 46

22 Contents - Operation
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
OperationVehicle keys ...................................... 24
Start lock-out .................................... 25
General notes on the
central locking system ............... 25
Central locking system ................... 26
Radio frequency
remote control .............................. 26
Unlocking the liftgate .................. 27
Panic button .................................. 28
Mechanical keys ........................... 29
Doors .................................................. 30
Central locking switch .................... 32
Automatic central locking .............. 33
Emergency unlocking
in case of accident ...................... 33
Liftgate ............................................... 34
Antitheft alarm system ................... 36
Tow-away alarm and
glass breakage sensor ................ 37
Seats, front ........................................ 38
Manual seats ................................. 40
Power seats ................................... 41Head restraint .............................. 42
Memory function ......................... 43
Heated seats ..................................... 46
Seat belts and
integrated restraint system ....... 48
Seat belts .......................................... 48
Seat belt nonusage
warning system ............................ 49
BabySmart
TM airbag
deactivation system ................... 55
Self-test BabySmart
TM without
special child seat installed ......... 55
Supplemental restraint
system (SRS) ............................... 56
Emergency tensioning
retractor (ETR) ............................ 57
Airbags .............................................. 58
Safety guidelines for
the seat belt, emergency
tensioning retractor
and airbag ..................................... 66
Infant and
child restraint systems ............... 68
Adjustable steering wheel ............... 74
Inside rear view mirror .................. 75Antiglare night position .............. 75
Exterior rear view mirrors ............. 77
Exterior rear view mirror,
electrically folding ....................... 79
Instrument cluster ........................... 82
Indicator lamps in
the instrument cluster ............... 84
Trip computer ................................... 89
Flexible service system
(FSS) .............................................. 94
Engine oil level indicator ................ 96
Exterior lamp switch ....................... 97
Headlamp mode ............................... 99
Night security illumination ......... 101
Locator lighting .......................... 102
Fog lamp switch ............................ 103
Hazard warning flasher
switch .......................................... 104
Headlamp cleaning system .......... 104
Windshield wiper/washer
switch .......................................... 105
Rear window wiper/washer ......... 106
Automatic climate control ............ 108
Dust filter ..................................... 111

33 Central locking system
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Automatic central locking
The central locking switch also operates the automatic
central locking.
With the automatic central locking system activated and
the engine running, the doors and trunk are locked at
vehicle speeds of approximately 9 mph (15 km / h) or
more.
To a c ti va te :
With key in steering lock position 2 hold upper portion
of switch (1) for a minimum of 5 seconds.
To deactivate:
With key in steering lock position 2 hold lower portion
of switch (2) for a minimum of 5 seconds.
Notes:
If doors are unlocked with the central locking switch
after activating the automatic central locking, and
neither door is opened, then the doors remain unlocked
even at vehicle speeds of approximately 9 mph
(15 km / h) or more.If a door is opened from the inside at speeds of
approximately 9 mph (15 km / h) or less with the
automatic central locking activated, the door will again
be automatically locked at speeds of approximately
9 mph (15 km / h) or more.
Important!
When towing the vehicle, or with the vehicle on a
dynamometer test stand, please, note the following:
With the engine running, the vehicle doors will lock if
the left front wheel spins at vehicle speeds of
approximately 9 mph (15 km / h) or more.
To prevent vehicle door locks from locking, deactivate
the automatic central locking.
Emergency unlocking in case of accident
The doors unlock automatically a short time after an
accident in which an airbag or emergency tensioning
retractor deploys (this is intended to aid rescue and
exit). However, the key must still be in the steering lock
position 1 or 2.
Additionally the hazard warning flashers turn on
automatically and the interior lights switch on for
approximately 30 minutes.

39 Seats
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Important!
Prior to operating the vehicle, the driver should adjust
the seat height for proper vision as well as fore / aft
placement and backrest angle to insure adequate
control, reach, operation, and comfort. The head
restraint should also be adjusted for proper height. See
also airbag section on page 58 for proper seat
positioning.
In addition, also adjust the steering wheel to ensure
adequate control, reach, operation, and comfort.
Both the inside and outside rear view mirrors should be
adjusted for adequate rearward vision.
Fasten seat belts. Infants and small children should be
seated in a properly secured restraint system that
complies with U.S. Federal Motor Vehicle Safety
Standard 213 and Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety
Standard 213.
All seat, head restraint, steering wheel, and rear view
mirror adjustments as well as fastening of seat belts
should be done before the vehicle is put into motion.
Wa r n i n g !
Children 12 years old and under must never ride in
the front seat, except in a Mercedes-Benz
authorized BabySmart
TM compatible child seat,
which operates with the BabySmart
TM system
installed in the vehicle to deactivate the passenger
side front airbag when it is properly installed.
Otherwise they will be struck by the airbag when it
inflates in a crash. If this happens, serious or fatal
injury can result.
According to accident statistics, children are safer
when properly restrained in the rear seating
positions than in the front seating positions.
Infants and small children must ride in the back
seats and be seated in an appropriate infant or
child restraint system, which is properly secured
with the vehicle’s seat belt, fully in accordance
with the child seat manufacturer’s instructions.A child’s risk of serious or fatal injuries is
significantly increased if the child restraints are
not properly secured in the vehicle and the child is
not properly secured in the child restraint.

48 Restraint systems
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Seat belts and integrated restraint system
Your vehicle is equipped with seat belts for all seats,
emergency tensioning retractors for front and second
row outboard seat belts, dual front airbags and door
mounted side impact airbags. Their protective functions
are designed to complement one another.
Seat belts
Important!
Laws in most states and all Canadian provinces require
seat belt use.
All states and provinces require use of child restraints
that comply with U.S. Federal Motor Vehicle Safety
Standard 213 and Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety
Standard 213.
All child restraint systems are designed to be secured in
vehicle seats by lap belts or the lap belt portion of a lap-
shoulder belt.
For your safety and that of your passengers we strongly
recommend their use.
Wa r n i n g !
Children 12 years old and under must never ride in
the front seat, except in a Mercedes-Benz
authorized BabySmart
TM compatible child seat,
which operates with the BabySmart
TM system
installed in the vehicle to deactivate the passenger
side front airbag when it is properly installed.
Otherwise they will be struck by the airbag when it
inflates in a crash. If this happens, serious or fatal
injury will result.
According to accident statistics, children are safer
when properly restrained in the rear seating
positions than in the front seating positions.
Infants and small children must ride in back seats
and be seated in an appropriate infant or child
restraint system, which is properly secured with
the vehicle’s seat belt, fully in accordance with the
child seat manufacturer’s instructions.A child’s risk of serious or fatal injuries is
significantly increased if the child restraints are
not properly secured in the vehicle and the child is
not properly secured in the child restraint.

52 Restraint systems
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Operation
The inertia reel stops the belt from unwinding during
sudden vehicle stops or when quickly pulling on the
belt. The locking function of the reel may be checked by
quickly pulling out the belt.
Unfastening of seat belts
Push the release button (3) in the belt buckle (2).
Allow the retractor to completely rewind the seat belt by
guiding the latch plate (1).
Wa r n i n g !
USE SEAT BELTS PROPERLY.• Seat belts can only work when used properly.
Never wear seat belts in any other way than as
described in this section, as that could result
in serious injuries in case of an accident.• Each occupant should wear their seat belt at all
times, because seat belts help reduce the
likelihood of and potential severity of injuries
in accidents, including rollovers. The
integrated restraint system includes “SRS”
(driver airbag, front passenger airbag, front
and rear door mounted side impact airbags),
“ETR” (seat belt emergency tensioning
retractors for the outboard passenger seats
[except in the optional 3rd row seats]), and
front seat knee bolsters. The system is
designed to enhance the protection offered to
properly belted occupants in certain frontal
(front airbags) and side (side impact airbags)
impacts which exceed preset deployment
thresholds.