2002 MERCEDES-BENZ ML55AMG brake light

6 Contents
Vehicle careCleaning and care of the vehicle .298
Power washer ..............................299
Tar stains .....................................299
Paintwork, painted body
components .................................299
Engine cleaning ..........................300
Vehicle washing .........................300
Ornamental moldings ................300
Headlamps, taillamps, turn signal
lenses ...........................................300
Cleaning the parktronic system
sensors ......................................... 301
Window cleaning ........................ 301
Wiper blades ............................... 301
Light alloy wheels ......................302
Instrument cluster .....................302
Steering wheel and gear selector
lever ..............................................302
Cup holder ...................................302
Seat belts .....................................302
Headliner .....................................302
Upholstery ...................................303Hard plastic trim items ............. 303
Plastic and rubber parts ........... 303
Technical dataSpare parts service ....................... 306
Warranty coverage ........................ 306
Identification labels ...................... 307
Layout of poly-V-belt drive ........... 308
Technical data ................................ 309
Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc. –
capacities .................................... 314
Engine oils ....................................... 316
Engine oil additives ....................... 316
Air conditioner refrigerant ........... 316
Brake fluid ....................................... 316
Premium unleaded gasoline ......... 317
Fuel requirements ......................... 317
Gasoline additives .......................... 318
Coolants ........................................... 318
Consumer information ................. 320
IndexIndex ................................................322

41 Seats
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Power seats (standard; optional on ML 320)
The slide switches are located on the entry side of each
front seat base.
The power seats are always in operational readiness.We recommend to adjust the power seat in the following
order:
1Seat, up / down
Press the switch (up/down direction) until
comfortable seating position with still sufficient
headroom is reached.
2Seat adjustment, fore / aft
Press the switch (fore / aft direction) until a
comfortable seating position is reached that still
allows you to reach the accelerator / brake pedal
safely. The position should be as far rearward as
possible, consistent with ability to properly operate
controls.
3Seat cushion tilt
Press the switch in the direction of the arrow until
your legs are lightly supported.
4Backrest tilt
Press the switch in the direction of the arrow until
your arms are slightly angled when holding the
steering wheel.

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

165 The first 1 000 miles
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index The first 1 000 miles (1 500 km)
The more cautiously you treat your vehicle during the
break-in period, the more satisfied you will be with its
performance later on. Therefore, drive your vehicle
during the first 1 000 miles (1 500 km) at moderate
vehicle and engine speeds.
During this period, avoid heavy loads (full throttle
driving) and excessive engine speeds.
Avoid accelerating by kickdown. It is not recommended
to brake the vehicle by manually shifting to a lower gear.
We recommend that you select positions “3”, “2” or “1”
only at moderate speeds (for hill driving).
After 1 000 miles (1 500 km) speeds may be gradually
increased to the permissible maximum.Maintenance
We strongly recommend that you have your vehicle
serviced by your authorized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck
Center, in accordance with the Service Booklet at the
times called for by the FSS.
Failure to have the vehicle maintained in accordance
with the Service Booklet at the designated times /
mileage may result in vehicle damage not covered by
the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
For information on the Flexible service system (FSS) see
page 94.
Check regularly and before a long trip, see page 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.

182 Starting and turning off the engine
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Starting and turning off the engine
Before starting
Ensure that parking brake is engaged and that selector
lever is in position “P” or “N”.
Important!
In areas where temperatures frequently drop below -4
°F
(-20
°C) we recommend that an engine block heater be
installed. Your authorized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck
Center will advise you on this subject.
Starting
Do not depress accelerator.
Turn key in steering lock to position 2. Briefly turn key
in steering lock clockwise to the stop and release. The
starter will engage until the engine is running.
If engine will not run, and the starting procedure stops,
turn key completely to the left and repeat starting the
engine.
After several unsuccessful attempts, have the system
checked at the nearest authorized Mercedes-Benz Light
Truck Center.A starting procedure can be interrupted by turning the
key to steering lock position 0.
Important!
Due to the installed starter non-repeat feature, the key
must be turned completely to the left before attempting
to start the engine again.
Note:
In case the engine cannot be started and the
messagesÁ and î are shown in the odometer
display field, the system is not operational. Contact an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center or call
1-800-FOR-MERCedes (in the USA), or 1-800-387-0100
(in Canada).
Turning off
Put the selector lever in position “P” and turn the key in
the steering lock to position 0 to stop the engine.
The key can only be removed with the selector lever in
position “P”.

184 Automatic transmission
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Driving
The selector lever is automatically locked while in
position “P”. To move the selector lever out of
position “P”, the service brake pedal must be firmly
depressed before the shift lock will release.
Shift selector lever to the desired position only when the
engine is idling normally and the service brake is
applied. Do not release the brake until ready to drive.
The vehicle may otherwise start creeping when the
selector lever is in drive or reverse position.Important!
After selecting any driving position from “N” or “P”,
wait a moment to allow the gear to fully engage before
accelerating, especially when the engine is cold.
Accelerator position
Partial throttle = early upshifting = normal acceleration
Full throttle = later upshifting = rapid acceleration
Kickdown (depressing the accelerator beyond full
throttle) = downshifting to a lower gear = maximum
acceleration. Once the desired speed is attained, ease up
on the accelerator – the transmission shifts up again.
Stopping
For brief stops, e.g. at traffic lights, leave the
transmission in gear and hold vehicle with the service
brake.
For longer stops with the engine idling, shift into “N”
or “P” and hold the vehicle with the service brake.
When stopping the vehicle on an uphill gradient, do not
hold it with the accelerator, use the brake. This avoids
unnecessary transmission heat build up.
Wa r n i n g !
It is dangerous to shift the selector lever out of “P”
or “N” if the engine speed is higher than idle speed.
If your foot is not firmly on the brake pedal, the
vehicle could accelerate quickly forward or in
reverse. You could lose control of the vehicle and
hit someone or something. Only shift into gear
when the engine is idling normally and when your
right foot is firmly on the brake pedal.

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.