2003 MERCEDES-BENZ ML320 ABS

184 OperationDriving instructionsTire speed rating
Additional information on winter tires can
be found under “Winter tires”
(page 213).
ML 320, ML 350
Your vehicle is factory equipped with
“H”-rated tires, which have a speed rating
of 130 mph (210 km/h).
ML 500
Your vehicle is factory equipped with
“V”-rated tires, which have a speed rating
of 150 mph (240 km/h).
An electronic speed limiter prevents your
vehicle from exceeding the speed rating.
ML 55 AMG
Your vehicle is factory equipped with
“W”-rated tires, which have a speed rating
of 168 mph (270 km/h).
Despite of the tire speed rating, local
speed limits should be obeyed. Use pru-
dent driving speeds appropriate to prevail-
ing conditions.
Winter driving instructions
The most important rule for slippery or icy
roads is to drive sensibly and to avoid
abrupt acceleration, braking and steering
maneuvers. Do not use the cruise control
system under such conditions.
When the vehicle is in danger of skidding,
move selector lever to positionN. Try to
keep the vehicle under control by correc-
tive steering action.Road salts and chemicals can adversely af-
fect braking efficiency. Increased pedal
force may become necessary to produce
the normal brake effect.
We therefore recommend depressing the
brake pedal periodically when traveling at
length on salt-strewn roads.Warning!
G
Even when permitted by law, never operate
a vehicle at speeds greater than the maxi-
mum speed rating of the tires.
Exceeding the maximum speed for which
tires are rated can lead to sudden tire fail-
ure, causing loss of vehicle control and pos-
sibly resulting in an accident and/or serious
injury and possible death, for you and for
others.
iInformation on driving with snow
chains (
page 214).
Warning!
G
On slippery road surfaces, never downshift
in order to obtain braking action. This could
result in drive wheel slip and reduced vehi-
cle control. Your vehicle’s ABS will not pre-
vent this type of control loss.
Do not use LOW RANGE mode when driving
on ice or packed snow. At speeds below
18 mph (30 km / h) vehicle steering is ad-
versely affected by the LOW RANGE ABS
(page 72).

186 OperationDriving instructionsOff-road driving
Read this chapter carefully before you be-
gin off-road travel.
Familiarize yourself with the vehicle char-
acteristics and gear changing before you
attempt any difficult terrain off-road driv-
ing. We recommend that you start out with
easy off-road travel.Special driving features for off-road
driving
The following driving features are available
for specific kind of operation:


LOW RANGE mode (
page 118)


LOW RANGE – ABS (
page 72)


LOW RANGE – 4-ETS (
page 74)


LOW RANGE – ESP (
page 76)
Off-road driving rules
Engage the LOW RANGE mode before driv-
ing under off-road conditions
(
page 118).
Fasten items being carried as securely as
possible (
page 139).
Warning!
G
Drive slowly in unknown terrain. This will
make it easier to recognize unexpected ob-
stacles and avoid damage to the vehicle.
To help avoid the vehicle rolling over, never
turn it around on steep inclines. If the vehi-
cle cannot complete the attempted climb,
back it down in reverse gear.
Do not drive along the side of a slope (dan-
ger of vehicle rollover). The vehicle might
otherwise rollover. If in doing so the vehicle
begins to show a tendency to roll, immedi-
ately steer into a line of gravity (straight up
or downhill).
Never let the vehicle roll backwards in idle
or when the clutch is disengaged. You may
lose control of the vehicle if you use only the
service brake.
Warning!
G
Sand, dirt, mud and other material having
friction property can cause exceptional wear
and tear as well as brake failure.
Have the brakes checked for dirt build-up
and cleaned. There is otherwise a risk that
full braking power may not be available in an
emergency.
iWe recommend keeping doors, liftgate,
windows, and sliding/pop-up roof*
closed whenever driving in off-road
mode.

189 Operation
Driving instructions
Driving downhill

Select gear range1 on the automatic
transmission (
page 114).


Drive downhill observing the same
rules as driving uphill (
page 187).


The special LOW RANGE – ABS setting
allows for precise and brief (cyclical)
blocking of the front wheels, permitting
them to dig into loose ground.
Remember that the front wheels when
stopped, slide across a surface, thus
loose their ability to steer the vehicle.Driving through water
120 in (50 cm)


Before driving through water, deter-
mine its depth. It should not be deeper
than approximately 20 inches (50 cm).


Switch to LOW RANGE mode before
driving through water (
page 118).


Switch off the exterior lamps as well as
the climate control.


Enter the water only at a shallow spot.
Never take a running start.


Drive slowly, avoiding a bow wave.


Do not stop vehicle immersed in water,
and do not shut off the engine.


To dry the brakes, apply pressure to the
brake pedal several times after leaving
the water.

213 Operation
Winter driving
Winter driving
Before the onset of winter, have your vehi-
cle winterized at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center. This
service includes:

Check of anticorrosion and antifreeze
concentration.


Addition of cleaning concentrate to the
water of the windshield and headlamp
cleaning system. Add MB Concentrate
“S” to a premixed windshield washer
solvent/antifreeze which is formulated
for below freezing temperatures
(page 290).


Battery test. Battery capacity drops
with decreasing ambient temperature.
A well charged battery helps to ensure
that the engine can be started even at
low ambient temperatures.


Tire change. We recommend M+S rat-
ed radial-ply tires on all four wheels for
the winter season.
Winter tires
Always use winter tires at temperatures
below 39°F (4°C) and whenever wintry
road conditions prevail. Use of winter tires
is the only way to achieve the maximum ef-
fectiveness of the ABS, ESP, 4-ETS and
EBP in winter operation.
For safe handling, ensure that all winter
tires mounted are of the same make and
have the same tread design.Always observe the speed rating of the
winter tires installed on your vehicle. If the
maximum speed for which your tires are
rated is below the speed rating of your ve-
hicle, you must place a notice to this effect
where it will be seen by the driver. Such no-
tices are available from your tire dealer or
from any authorized Mercedes-Benz Light
Truck Center.Warning!
G
Winter tires with a tread depth under 0.16 in
(4 mm) must be replaced. They are no long-
er suitable for winter operation.
Warning!
G
If you use your spare tire when winter tires
are fitted on the other wheels, be aware that
the difference in tire characteristics may
very well impair turning stability and that
overall driving stability may be reduced.
Adapt your driving style accordingly.
Have the spare tire replaced with a winter
tire at the nearest authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center.

225 Practical hints
What to do if …
Problem
Possible cause
Suggested solution
-
The yellow ABS malfunction indi-
cator lamp comes on while driv-
ing.
ABS has detected a malfunction and has
switched off. The BAS, ESP, 4-ETS and EBP
are also switched off.
The brake system is still functioning normally
but without ABS available.

Continue driving with added caution.
Wheels will lock during hard braking
reducing steering capability.

Have the system checked at an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Cen-
ter as soon as possible.
Failure to follow these instructions in-
creases the risk of an accident.
The charging voltage has fallen below
10 volts. The ABS has switched off.
When the voltage is above this value
again, the ABS is operational again.
If necessary, have the generator and
the battery checked.
¿
The yellow malfunction indicator
lamp comes on while driving.
The ESP is no longer synchronized following
a voltage supply interuption (e.g. battery dis-
connected or discharged).
Synchronize the ESP:
Turn the steering wheel from stop lim-
it to stop limit.
The indicator lamp goes out.
The charging voltage has fallen below
10 volts. The BAS and ESP have switched off.
When the voltage is above this value
again, the BAS and ESP are operational
again.
If necessary, have the generator and
the battery checked.

229 Practical hints
What to do if …
Problem
Possible cause
Suggested solution
É
-
The red brake warning lamp
lights up in addition to the yellow
ABS malfunction lamp and you
hear a warning sound.
There is a malfunction in the Electronic Brake
Proportioning (EBP) system.
The enhanced braking effect is not available.

Have the system checked immediate-
ly at an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Light Truck Center.
Failure to follow these instructions in-
creases the risk of accidents.
:
The yellow warning lamp blinks
after starting the engine or while
driving.
The engine oil level has sunk to the minimum
level. If the engine oil level continues to sink,
the warning lamp will light up.

Add approved oil at the next gas sta-
tion (
page 286).

If oil loss is visible on the engine, have
the malfunction corrected as soon as
possible at a Mercedes-Benz Light
Truck Center.
_
The red indicator lamp does not
go out after starting the engine.
The adjustable telescoping steering column
is not properly locked.

Lock the adjustable steering column
(page 37).
‡
The green front fog lamp indica-
tor lamp lights up when ignition
is turned on.
The front fog lamps are switched on.

Fog lamps (
page 105).

251 Practical hints
Replacing bulbs

Align headlamp cover and click into
place.
Fog lamp bulbs
1Fog lamp

Switch off the lights.

Use a suitable object (e.g. screwdriver)
to press on the release lever behind the
front panel.
Front fog lamp1 releases.

Remove fog lamp out of bumper.2Bulb socket
3Tabs

Twist bulb socket2 counterclockwise
to its end stop and pull out.

Pull bulb out of the bulb socket.

Insert new bulb in socket.

Reinstall bulb socket2.

Twist bulb socket2 clockwise to its
end stop.

Reinstall fog lamp into the bumper.
Make sure that tabs3 firmly seat into
the slots of holder.
Replacing bulbs for rear lamps
Tail lamp assemblies
Switch off the lights.

Open liftgate.
1Screws
2Tail, parking and standing lamp
Fog lamp, driver’s side
3Side marker lamp
4Turn signal lamp
5Backup lamp
6Brake lamp

Remove screws1.

Remove tail lamp.


252 Practical hintsReplacing bulbs7Tabs
Squeeze tabs7 together and remove
bulb holder.

Gently push bulb into socket, turn
counterclockwise and remove.

Insert new bulb in socket, push in and
turn clockwise.

Reinstall bulb holder. You should hear
it engage.

Insert the tail lamp in the body, lower
edge first. Make sure that it engages.

Retighten screws with washers on
them.License plate lamp
1License plate lamp
2Screws

Switch off the lights.

Loosen both screws1 and remove
lamp.

Replace the tubular lamp and reinstall
lamp.

Retighten the screws.High mounted brake lamp
1Cover
2Tab

Switch off the lights.

Squeeze both sides of cover1, fold it
forward and remove.

Press tab2 on reflector and remove re-
flector.

Gently push bulb into socket, turn
counterclockwise and remove.

Insert new bulb in socket, push in and
turn clockwise.