2003 MERCEDES-BENZ ML320 immobilizer

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

51 Getting started
Parking and locking
Switching off headlamps
Turn the combination switch to1
(page 46).
More information can be found in the
“Controls in detail” section (
page 102).
Turning off engine
Place the gear selector lever inP.

Turn the key in the steering lock
(page 33) to position0 and remove
it.
The immobilizer is activated.
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. Children could release the parking
brake and/or move the gear selector lever
from positionP, either of which could result
in an accident and/or serious personal
injury.
Warning!
G
Getting out of your vehicle with the selector
lever not fully engaged in positionP is dan-
gerous. Also, when parked on an incline,
positionP alone may not prevent your vehi-
cle from moving, possibly hitting people or
objects.
Always set the parking brake in addition to
shifting to positionP (
page 50).
When parked on an incline, also turn front
wheel towards the road curb.
iAlways set the parking brake in addi-
tion to shifting to positionP.!To prevent accelerated battery dis-
charge and a possible dead battery, al-
ways remove the key from the steering
lock.

78 Safety and SecurityAnti-theft systems
Anti-theft systemsImmobilizer
The immobilizer prevents unauthorized
persons from starting your vehicle.
Activating
Removing the key from the steering lock
activates the immobilizer.
Deactivating
Switch on the ignition by turning the key in
the steering lock to position2.
Anti-theft alarm
Once the alarm system has been armed, a
visual and audible alarm is triggered when
someone:

opens a door


opens the liftgate


opens the hood
The alarm will stay on even if the activating
element (a door, for example) is immedi-
ately closed.
The alarm system will also be triggered
when


someone attempts to raise the vehicle


unlocking and opening the driver’s
door with the mechanical key Arming the alarm system
The alarm system is armed after locking
the vehicle with the remote control. The
turn signal lamps blink three times to indi-
cate that the alarm system is activated. A
red lamp in the center console will blink af-
ter approximately 10 seconds when the
alarm system is completely armed
(
page 27).
iIn case the engine cannot be started
(vehicle’s battery is in order), the sys-
tem is not operational. Contact an au-
thorized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck
Center or call 1-800-FOR-MERCedes
(in the USA), or 1-800-387-0100 (in
Canada).
iIf the alarm stays on for more than
20 seconds, an emergency call is initi-
ated automatically by the Tele Aid sys-
tem (
page 159) provided Tele Aid
service was subscribed to and properly
activated.

235 Practical hints
What to do if …
Additional indicators in the speedome-ter displayDisplay
Possible cause
Suggested solution
9
Perform minor service (A) (
page 215).

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center to perform service.
´
Perform major service (B) (
page 215).

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center to perform service.
Á
î
The
StArt
message lights up in
addition to the
Error
message.
The immobilizer is not operational.

Contact an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center or call
1-800-FOR-MERCedes (in the USA),
or 1-800-387-0100 (in Canada).

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

300 Index
Passenger 59
Safety guidelines 57
Side impact 59
Window curtain 59
Alarm
Audible 70, 79
Canceling 79
Visual 78
Alarm system
Anti-theft 78
Anticorrosion/antifreeze 288
Antiglare
Automatic 119
Antilock brake system (ABS) 293
Anti-theft alarm system
Arming 78
Canceling alarm 79
Disarming 79
Anti-theft systems
Anti-theft alarm system 78
Immobilizer 78
Tow-away alarm, glass breakage
sensor 79
Aquaplaning see Hydroplaning 183Armrest
Storage compartment in front of 153
Storage spaces 153
Armrest in rear seat bench 155
Ashtray
Front center console 156
Rear center console 157
At the gas station 200
ATF (automatic transmission fluid) 206
Attaching a trailer 194
Automatic antiglare for rear
view mirror 119
Automatic central locking
Activating 89
Deactivating 89
Automatic climate control 124
Adjusting air distribution 127
Adjusting air volume 127
Air conditioning 129
Air outlets 132
Air recirculation mode 128
Basic setting 127
Changing basic setting 127
Defrosting 128Economy mode 125
Rear passenger compartment 131
Rear window defroster 131
Residual heat utilization 130
Residual ventilation 130
Switching off 127
Switching on 126
Automatic headlamp mode 103
Automatic interior lighting control
Activating 107
Deactivating 107
Automatic locking when driving 89
Automatic transmission 113
Accelerator position 117
Emergency operation (Limp Home
Mode) 117
Gear ranges 114
Gear selector lever position 115
Gear shifting malfunctions 117
Kickdown 117
Manual shifting 113
One-touch gearshifting 113
Selector lever position 113
Towing a trailer 117
Transmission fluid 206

303 Index
Compass 173
Calibrating 174
Setting compass zone 174
Compass zone 174
Consumer information 291
Control and operation of radio
transmitters 197
Coolant 206, 287
Adding 206
Anticorrosion/antifreeze quantity 288
Checking level 206
Indicator lamp 230
Temperature 199
Temperature gauge 111
Coolant level
Checking 201, 206
Crossing obstacles 190
Cruise control 146, 293
Canceling 147
Driving downhill 147
Driving uphill 147
Fine adjustment 148
LOW RANGE mode 148
Saving current speed 147
Setting speeds 148Cruise control lever 146
Cup holder 154
Cleaning 221
In front seat armrest 155
In instrument panel 154
In rear centerconsole 155
Customer Assistance Center (CAC) 293
D
Daytime running lamp mode 103
Deactivating
Air conditioning (cooling) 129
Air recirculation mode 129
Alarm 79
Anti-theft alarm system 79
Automatic climate control 125, 127
Cruise control 147
Defrost 128
Engine 51
ESP 76
Front fog lamps, rear fog lamp 105
Hazard warning flasher 106
Headlamps 51
Immobilizer 78
Rear passenger compartment
ventilation and climate control 131Rear window defroster 131
Residual heat 130
Seat heater 91
Tow-away alarm 80
Tow-away alarm (vehicles with trip
computer*) 80
Tow-away alarm (vehicles without trip
computer) 81
Deactivating automatic central locking 89
Deep water see Standing water 185
Defogging
Windshield 128
Defrosting 128
Difficulties
While driving see Problems while
driving 49
With starting 45
Direction of rotation (tires) 210
Discharged battery
Jump starting 264
Disconnecting
Vehicle battery 261
Display
Engine oil level 204
Display in the speedometer 111

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