2003 MERCEDES-BENZ ML320 height

202 OperationEngine compartment
Engine compartmentHood
Opening
1Hood release

Pull lever1 downwards.
The hood is unlocked. Handle2 pro-
trudes slightly from the radiator trim. If
not, lift the hood slightly.
2Handle for opening the hood

Pull handle2 to its stop out of the radi-
ator grill.

Pull up on the hood and then release it.
The hood will be automatically held
open at shoulder height by gas-filled
struts.
Warning!
G
Do not pull the release lever while the vehi-
cle is in motion. Otherwise the hood could
be forced open by passing air flow.
!To avoid damage to the windshield wip-
ers or hood, never open the hood if the
wiper arms are folded forward away
from the windshield.
Warning!
G
To help prevent personal injury, stay clear of
moving parts when the hood is open and the
engine is running. Make sure the hood is
properly closed before driving. When closing
the hood, use extreme caution not to catch
hands or fingers.
The radiator fan may continue to run for ap-
proximately 30 seconds or even restart af-
ter the engine has been turned off. Stay
clear of fan blades.

203 Operation
Engine compartment
Closing
Let the hood drop from a height of ap-
proximately 1ft (30cm).
The hood will lock audibly.

Check to make sure that the hood is
fully closed.
If you can raise the hood at a point
above the headlamps, then it is not
properly closed. Open it again and let it
drop with somewhat greater force.
Engine oil
The amount of oil your engine needs will
depend on a number of factors, including
driving style. Higher oil consumption can
occur when

the vehicle is new


the vehicle is driven frequently at high-
er engine speeds.
Engine oil consumption checks should only
be made after the vehicle break-in period.
Checking engine oil level
When checking the oil level the vehicle
must


be parked on level ground


be at normal operating temperature


have been stationary for at least five
minutes with the engine turned off
Warning!
G
If you see flames or smoke coming from the
engine compartment, or if the coolant tem-
perature gauge indicates that the engine is
overheated, do not open the hood. Move
away from vehicle and do not open the hood
until the engine has cooled. If necessary,
call the fire department.Warning!
G
The engine is equipped with a transistorized
ignition system. Because of the high voltage
it is dangerous to touch any components (ig-
nition coils, spark plug sockets, diagnostic
socket) of the ignition system

with the engine running


while starting the engine


if ignition is “on” and the engine is
turned manually
Warning!
G
Be careful that you do not close the hood on
anyone.!Do not push the hood closed manually,
as this could damage it.

282 Technical dataMain Dimensions
Main DimensionsModel
ML 320, ML 350, ML 500
ML 55 AMG
Overall vehicle length
182.6 in (4638 mm)
182.5 in (4635 mm)
Overall vehicle width
83.7 in (2126 mm)
83.7 in (2126 mm)
Overall vehicle height
71.7 in (1820 mm)
71.0 in (1804 mm)
Wheelbase
111.0 in (2820 mm)
111.0 in (2820 mm)
Track, front
61.2 in (1555 mm)
61.2 in (1555 mm)
Track, rear
61.2 in (1555 mm)
61.2 in (1555 mm)
Ground clearance
8.03 in (204 mm)
7.4 in (188 mm)
Turning radius
468.5 in (11.9 m)
468.5 in (11.9 m)

299 Index
A
ABS 25, 71, 293
ABS control 71
LOW RANGE mode 72
Malfunction indicator lamp 225
Warning lamp 225
Accelerator position, automatic
transmission 117
Accident
In case of 49
Activating
Air circulation mode 130
Air recirculation mode 129
Anti-theft alarm system 78
Automatic climate control 125
ESP 77
Exterior headlamps 46
Hazard warning flasher 106
Headlamps 46
High beams 102
Ignition 33
Immobilizer 51, 78
Rear passenger compartment
ventilation and climate control 131
Rear window defroster 131
Rear window wiper 48Residual heat 130
Seat heater 91
Tow-away alarm 80
Warning indicators (Parktronic*) 151
Windshield wipers 48
Activating automatic central locking 89
Adding
Coolant 206
Engine oil 204, 205
Additional turn signals 247
Adjustable steering column
Indicator lamp 229
Adjusting 34
Backrest tilt 36, 37
Exterior rear view mirror 38
Head restraint height 36, 37
Head restraint tilt 36, 37
Headlamp aim 253
Instrument cluster illumination 110
Manual seat 35
Mirrors 38
Power seats 37
Seat cushion tilt 37
Seat fore and aft 35
Seat fore and aft adjustment 37
Seat height 35, 36Seats 34
Steering wheel 37
Adjusting air distribution
Automatic climate control 127
Adjusting air volume
Automatic climate control 127
Air conditioner (cooling)
Turning on 129
Air conditioning
Cooling 129
Air conditioning refrigerant 286
Air outlets
Automatic climate control 132
Air pressure see Tire inflation pressure 211
Air pump 238
Air recirculation mode 128
Activating 129
Deactivating 129
AIRBAG OFF
Warning lamp 232
Airbags 55
BabySmart
TM airbag deactivation
system 293
BabySmartTM deactivation system 65
Children 56
Front 59

307 Index
Headlamps
Automatic control 103
Bi-Xenon 293
Cleaning 220
Cleaning system 121
Cleaning system* 208
Refilling washer fluid 208
Switching off 51
Switching on 46
Washer fluid 290
Washer system 290
Headliner
Cleaning 221
Heated seats 91
Height adjustment
Head restraints 36, 37
Seat belts 43
Steering wheel 37
High beam flasher 47, 102
High beam headlamps
Replacing bulbs 247, 250
Switching on 102
High mounted brake lamp 248
Replacing bulbs 252Hood 202
Closing 203
Opening 202
Hooks
Loading 140
Hydroplaning 183
I
Identification labels 276
Certification label 276
Vehicle identification number
(VIN) 276
Ignition 33
Immobilizer 78
Activating 51, 78
Deactivating 78
Indicator lamp
Adjustable steering column 229
Brake pad wear 234
Coolant 230
Front fog lamps 229
Low engine oil level 229
Indicators, additional
Speedometer display 235
Infant and child restraint systems 63
Installing 67
LATCH child seat mounts 68Inflating
Spare tire 259
Information
About service and warranty 10
Button for Tele Aid* 165
Inside rear view mirror
Antiglare 119
Installing
Head restraint 92
Infant and child restraint systems 67
Wiper blades 254
Instrument cluster 24, 110, 294
Cleaning 221
Coolant temperature gauge 111
Display in the speedometer 111
Illumination 110
Lamps in 233
Outside temperature indicator 112
Instruments and controls see Cockpit 22
Integrated remote control
Canadian programming 171
Erasing memory 171
Hand-held transmitter 169
Operating 171
Rolling code programming 170

309 Index
Light alloy wheels
Cleaning 221
Lighter
Rear center console 157
Lighter see cigarette lighter 156
Lighting 102
Automatic headlamp mode 103
Cargo compartment 109
Combination switch 102
Daytime running lamp mode 103
Door entry lamps 107
Front fog lamps 105
High beam flasher 102
High beams 102
Instrument cluster illumination 110
Interior 107
Locator lighting 105
Low beam 102
Night security illumination 104
Parking lamps 102
Limiting the gear range 114
Limp Home Mode 117
Line of fall 294
Loading 139
Cargo area cover blind* 143
Cargo floor plates 144Cargo tie-down rings 140
Hooks 140
Instructions 139, 140
Partition net* 141
Roof rack 145
Split rear bench seat 93
Trailer 193
Locator lighting 105
Lock button 294
Locking 84
Automatic while driving 89
Centrally from inside 90
Fuel filler flap 200
Global 85
Vehicle in an emergency 243
Locking knobs 32
Loss of keys 86
Loss of Service and Warranty Information
Booklet 275
Low beam headlamps
Replacing bulbs 247, 249
Switching on 46
Low engine oil level
Indicator lamp 229
LOW RANGE - 4-ETS 74
LOW RANGE - ABS 72LOW RANGE - ESP 76
LOW RANGE mode 118
Low washer system fluid level
Indicator lamp 234
Lowering
Vehicle 258
M
Main dimensions 282
Maintenance 12
Display messages 235
Manual operations
Fuel filler flap 244
Interior lighting control 108
Locking the vehicle 243
Sliding/pop-up roof 246
Unlocking the driver’s door 242
Unlocking transmission selector
lever 245
Manual seat
Adjusting 35
Adjusting backrest tilt 36
Adjusting head restraint height 36
Adjusting head restraint tilt 36
Seat fore and aft adjustment 35
Seat height 35

311 Index
Sliding/pop-up roof in an
emergency 246
Sliding/pop-up roof* 137
Storage compartment in front of
armrest 154
Storage compartment under passenger
seat 153
Windows 135
Opening and closing
Side windows 134
Operating
Garage door opener 171
Integrated remote control 171
Radio transmitters 197
Vehicle outside the USA and
Canada 13
Operating safety 17
Operator’s Manual 10
Ornamental moldings 220
Outside temperature indicator 112
Overdue service 215
Overhead control panel 29
P
Paintwork 219
Panic alarm 70
Panic button on remote control 70Parking 182
Trailer towing 196
Parking and locking 50
Parking brake 45, 50
Engaging 50
Releasing 45
Parking lamps
Replacing bulbs 247, 248, 250
Replacing the bulbs 250
Switching on 102
Parking position
Exterior rear view mirrors 100
Parktronic* 149, 295
Cleaning system sensor 220
Monitoring reach 150
Sensor cover 220
Switching off 151
Switching on 151
Warning indicators 150
Partition net
Engaging 141
Removing 142
Tightening 142
Partition net* 141
Parts see Spare parts servicePassenger compartment 196
Interior lighting 107
Passenger footwell
Fuse box in 272
Passenger safety see Occupant safety 54
Pedals 179
Plastic and rubber parts
Cleaning 222
Poly-V-belt drive 295
Layout 277
Positions (Memory function*)
Recalling from memory 100
Storing into memory 100
Power assistance 179
Power seat*
Adjusting backrest tilt 37
Adjusting head restraint height 37
Adjusting head restraint tilt 37
Adjusting seat cushion tilt 37
Adjusting seat height 36
Seat fore and aft adjustment 37
Power seats 37
Power train 295
Power washer 218

314 IndexS
Safety
Occupant 54
Safety belts see Seat belts 40
Safety defects
Reporting 19
Safety systems
Driving 71
Saving current speed 147
Seat belt force limiter 62
Seat belt height adjustment 43
Seat belts 54, 60
Cleaning 221
Fastening 40
Height adjustment 43
Proper use of 42, 61
Safety guidelines 57
Warning lamp 234
Seat heater
Switching off 91
Switching on 91
Seats 91
Adjusting 34
Heater 91
Manual 35
Power 37Rapid seat heating 91
Rear 93
Split rear bench seat 93
Securing cargo
Cargo tie-down rings 140
Selector lever 26
Lock 44
Position 26, 113
Self-test
BabySmart
TM airbag deactivation
system 66
Tele Aid* 160
Service 215
Calling up the service indicator 216
Major service (Service B) 215
Minor service (Service A) 215
Overdue 215
Spare parts
Types 215
When due 215
Service and Warranty Booklet
Loss of 275
Service and warranty information 10
Service indicator 215
Calling up 216
Clearing 215, 216Service indicator (FSS)
Display messages 235
Service life (tires) 210
Service System see FSS
Setting
Cruise control 147
Exterior rear view mirror parking
position 100
Higher speed in cruise control 148
Hours (clock) 112
Lower speed in cruise control 148
Minutes (clock) 112
Slower speed in cruise control 148
Speed in cruise control 148
Setting date
Trip computer* 172
Setting language
Trip computer* 176
Shift lock 296
Shifting
Gear selector lever positions 115
Into optimal gear range (automatic
transmission) 114
Side impact airbags 59
Side marker lamps
Replacing bulbs 247, 248, 250