2003 MERCEDES-BENZ ML320 KEY

Contents
Introduction.......................................... 9
Product information ................................ 9
Operator’s Manual ............................... 10
Service and warranty information .. 10
Important notice for California
retail buyers and lessees of
Mercedes-Benz automobiles .......... 11
Maintenance .................................. 12
Roadside Assistance ...................... 12
Change of address or ownership.... 12
Operating your vehicle outside
the USA or Canada......................... 13
Where to find it .................................... 15
Symbols ............................................... 16
Operating safety .................................. 17
Proper use of the vehicle ............... 17
Problems with your vehicle .................. 18
Reporting safety defects...................... 19
Reporting safety defects ................ 19
At a glance.......................................... 21
Cockpit ................................................. 22
Instrument cluster ................................ 24
Center console ..................................... 27
Upper part ...................................... 27
Lower part ...................................... 28
Overhead control panel ........................ 29Getting started................................... 31
Unlocking ............................................. 32
Remote control with folding key ..... 32
Adjusting .............................................. 34
Seats............................................... 34
Steering wheel ................................ 37
Mirrors ............................................ 38
Driving .................................................. 40
Fastening the seat belts.................. 40
Starting the engine ......................... 44
Switching on headlamps ................. 46
Turn signals..................................... 47
Windshield wipers ........................... 47
Rear window wiper.......................... 48
Problems while driving .................... 49Parking and locking .............................. 50
Parking brake ................................. 50
Switching off headlamps................. 51
Turning off engine ........................... 51
Safety and Security........................... 53
Occupant safety ................................... 54
Airbags ........................................... 55
Seat belts ....................................... 60
Children in the vehicle .................... 63
Blocking of rear door
window operation ........................... 69
Panic alarm .......................................... 70
Activating........................................ 70
Deactivating.................................... 70
Driving and safety systems .................. 71
ABS ................................................. 71
BAS ................................................. 73
4-ETS .............................................. 73
EBP ................................................. 74
ESP ................................................. 75
Anti-theft systems ................................ 78
Immobilizer ..................................... 78
Anti-theft alarm............................... 78

Contents
Tow-away alarm,
glass breakage sensor.................... 79
Controls in detail............................... 83
Locking and unlocking ......................... 84
Remote control with folding key ..... 84
Opening the doors
from the inside ............................... 86
Opening the liftgate........................ 87
Closing the liftgate ......................... 88
Automatic central locking .............. 89
Locking and unlocking
from the inside ............................... 90
Seats.................................................... 91
Seat heater*................................... 91
Removing and installing
head restraints ............................... 92
Rear seats ...................................... 93
Third row seats* ............................. 96
Memory function*................................ 99
Storing positions in memory ........ 100
Recalling positions from memory . 100
Exterior rear view mirror parking
position (passenger side) ............. 100Lighting.............................................. 102
Combination switch ..................... 102
Fog lamps .................................... 105
Hazard warning flasher ................ 106
Interior lighting............................. 107
Instrument cluster ............................. 110
Instrument cluster illumination .... 110
Coolant temperature gauge ......... 111
Display in the speedometer ......... 111
Resetting trip odometer ............... 112
Tachometer .................................. 112
Outside temperature indicator ..... 112
Setting the clock .......................... 112
Automatic transmission ..................... 113
One-touch gearshifting................. 113
Gear ranges.................................. 114
Gear selector lever position ......... 115
Accelerator position ..................... 117
Towing a trailer ............................ 117
Emergency operation (Limp Home
Mode)........................................... 117
Transmission control –
LOW RANGE mode............................. 118
Switching on LOW RANGE mode .. 118
Switching off LOW RANGE mode . 118Good visibility .................................... 119
Rear view mirror .......................... 119
Headlamp cleaning system* ........ 121
Windshield wipers ........................ 122
Rear window wiper....................... 123
Sun visor ...................................... 123
Automatic climate control ................. 124
Automatic mode .......................... 126
Adjusting air volume and air
distribution manually ................... 127
Defrosting .................................... 128
Air recirculation mode.................. 128
Air conditioning ............................ 129
Residual heat and ventilation ....... 130
Rear window defroster ................. 131
Rear passenger compartment
ventilation and rear automatic
climate control ............................. 131
Front and rear air outlets ............. 132
Power windows.................................. 134
Opening and closing the side
windows ....................................... 134
Rear quarter windows* ................ 136
Sliding/pop-up roof* ......................... 137
Opening and closing the
sliding/pop-up roof ...................... 137

29 At a glance
Overhead control panel
Overhead control panel
Item
Page
1
Front left interior lighting
107
2
Signal transmitter keys for
garage door opener
168
3
Front right interior lighting
107
4
Roadside Assistance
button
163
Information button
165
5
Interior lighting control
107
6
Trip computer* display
172
7
Rear view mirror
119
Item
Page
8
Right reading lamp on/off
108
9
Automatic antiglare func-
tion* on/off
119
10
Left reading lamp on/off
108
11
Glass breakage sensor
79
12
Trip computer* control
172
Tow-away alarm switch
80
13
Tele Aid (emergency call
system) button
163
14
Sliding/pop-up roof*
switch
137

32 Getting startedUnlockingThe “Getting started” section provides an
overview of the vehicle’s most basic func-
tions. First-time Mercedes-Benz owners
should pay special attention to the infor-
mation given here.
If you are already familiar with the basic
functions described here, the “Controls in
detail” section will help you with further in-
formation. The corresponding page refer-
ences are at the end of each segment.
UnlockingRemote control with folding keyRemote control with folding key1Â
Panic button (
page 70)
2
Œ
Unlock button
3
‹
Lock button
4Release button for key
5
Š
Unlock button for liftgate

Press unlock button
Œ
on the re-
mote control.
The indicator lamps light up for a short
time. The locking knobs in the doors
move up.

Press release button4 on the remote
control.
The key folds out.

Get in the vehicle and insert the key in
the steering lock (
page 33).
More information can be found in the
“Controls in detail” section (
page 84).

33 Getting started
Unlocking
Steering lock positions
Steering lock0For removing key
The steering is locked when the key is
removed from the steering lock. If nec-
essary, move steering wheel slightly to
allow the locking mechanism to en-
gage.
1Unlocking steering. Power supplies to
some electrical consumers, such as
seat adjustment
2Ignition (power supply for all electrical
consumers) and driving position (selec-
tor lever is unlocked)
3Starting positionMore information can be found in the
“Controls in detail” section (
page 84).
Warning!
G
When leaving the vehicle always remove the
key from the steering lock and lock the vehi-
cle. Do not leave children unattended in the
vehicle, or with access to an unlocked vehi-
cle. Unsupervised use of vehicle equipment
may cause an accident and/or serious per-
sonal injury.
!To prevent accelerated battery dis-
charge and a possible dead battery, al-
ways remove the key from the steering
lock.iThe key can only be withdrawn in
position0.
If necessary, move steering wheel
slightly to allow the key to be turned
clockwise to position1.
A warning sounds when the driver’s
door is opened and the key is in steer-
ing lock position0 or1.

34 Getting startedAdjusting
AdjustingSeats
Depending on the vehicle’s equipment,
you can adjust the seats manually or elec-
trically.Warning!
G
All seat, head restraint, steering wheel, and
rear view mirror adjustments, as well as fas-
tening of seat belts, must be done before
the vehicle is put into motion.Warning!
G
Do not adjust the driver’s seat while driving.
Adjusting the seat while driving could cause
the driver to lose control of the vehicle.
Never ride in a moving vehicle with the seat
back reclined. Sitting in an excessively re-
clined position can be dangerous. You could
slide under the seat belt in a collision. If you
slide under it, the belt would apply force at
the abdomen or neck.
That could cause serious or fatal injuries.
The seat back and seat belts provide the
best restraint when the wearer is in an up-
right position and belts are properly posi-
tioned on the body. Your seat must be
adjusted so that you can correctly fasten
your seat belt (
page 40).
Never place hands under the seat or near
any moving parts while a seat is being ad-
justed.
Warning!
G
When leaving the vehicle always remove the
key from the steering lock and lock your ve-
hicle.
Do not leave children unattended in the ve-
hicle or with access to an unlocked vehicle.
Unsupervised use of vehicle equipment may
cause an accident and/or serious personal
injury.
Warning!
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 ve-
hicle to deactivate the passenger side front
airbag when it is properly installed. Other-
wise 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 seat-
ing 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 and top tether strap, or secured via
lower anchors and top tether strap, fully in
accordance with the child seat manufactur-
er’s instructions.

36 Getting startedAdjustingBackrest tilt
Turn handwheel3 until your hands are
slightly angled when holding the steer-
ing wheel.
Head restraint height

Pull up or push down on head restraint
until it is in desired position.Head restraint tilt

Manually adjust the angle of the head
restraint. Push or pull on the lower
edge of the head restraint cushion.
Adjusting power seats*
The seat adjustment switch is located on
the entry side of each front seat base.

Switch on the ignition by turning the
key in the steering lock to position2
(page 33).
All the lights in the instrument cluster
light up.1Seat height
2Seat fore and aft adjustment
3Seat cushion tilt
4Backrest tilt
Seat height

Press the switch up or down in the di-
rection of arrow1.
Warning!
G
For your protection, drive only with properly
positioned head restraints.
Adjust head restraint to support the back of
the head approximately at ear level.
Do not drive the vehicle without the seat
head restraints. Head restraints are intend-
ed to help reduce injuries during an acci-
dent.
Warning!
G
The power seats can also be operated with
the appropriate door open. Do not leave
children unattended in the vehicle, or with
access to an unlocked vehicle. Unsuper-
vised use of vehicle equipment may cause
an accident and/or serious personal injury.

39 Getting started
Adjusting
The buttons are on the lower part of the
center console.
1Driver’s side mirror
2Passenger side mirror
3Adjustment button

Switch on the ignition by turning the
key in the steering lock to position2
(page 33)
All the lights in the instrument cluster
light up.

Press button1 for the left mirror or
button2 for the right mirror.

Push adjustment button3 up, down,
left or right according to the setting de-
sired.More information can be found in the
“Controls in detail” section (
page 119).
iWith the front doors closed, the exteri-
or mirrors can still be adjusted approx.
30 minutes after the ignition has been
turned off.
At low outside temperatures, the exte-
rior mirrors will be automatically
heated.