2003 MERCEDES-BENZ ML320 ml 270

ContentsPractical hints.................................. 223
What to do if … .................................. 224
Lamps in instrument cluster ......... 224
Additional indicators in the
speedometer display .................... 235
Where will I find ...?............................ 236
First aid kit ................................... 236
Vehicle tool kit ............................. 237
Electric air pump (ML 55 AMG) .... 238
Spare wheel (space-saver tire) ..... 239
Unlocking/locking in an emergency .. 242
Unlocking the vehicle ................... 242
Locking the vehicle ...................... 243
Changing batteries ....................... 243
Fuel filler flap ............................... 244
Manually unlocking the
transmission selector lever .......... 245
Opening/closing in an emergency ..... 246
Sliding/pop-up roof* .................... 246
Replacing bulbs ................................. 247
Bulbs ............................................ 247
Replacing bulbs for front lamps.... 249
Replacing bulbs for rear lamps ..... 251
Adjusting headlamp aim ............... 253Replacing wiper blades ...................... 254
Removal ....................................... 254
Installation ................................... 254
Flat tire .............................................. 255
Mounting the spare wheel ............ 255
Battery ............................................... 261
Disconnecting the battery ............ 261
Removing the batteries ................ 262
Charging and reinstalling
batteries....................................... 262
Reconnecting the batteries .......... 262
Jump starting ..................................... 264
Towing the vehicle ............................. 267
Front towing eye .......................... 269
Rear towing eye ........................... 269
Stranded vehicle .......................... 270
Fuses ................................................. 271
Fuse box in engine
compartment ............................... 271
Auxiliary fuse box in front
passenger footwell ....................... 272
Technical data................................. 273
Spare parts service............................ 274
Warranty coverage ............................ 275
Loss of Service and Warranty
Information Booklet ..................... 275
Identification labels ........................... 276
Layout of poly-V-belt drive ................. 277
Engine ............................................... 278
Rims and tires ................................... 279
Rims and tires .............................. 279
Rims and winter tires* ................. 280
Spare wheel ................................. 280
Electrical system ............................... 281
Main Dimensions ............................... 282
Weights ............................................. 283
Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc. .......... 284
Capacities .................................... 284
Engine oils ................................... 286
Engine oil additives ...................... 286
Air conditioning refrigerant .......... 286
Brake fluid.................................... 286
Premium unleaded gasoline ......... 286
Fuel requirements ........................ 287
Gasoline additives ........................ 287
Coolants ...................................... 287

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).

270 Practical hintsTowing the vehicleML 55 AMG and vehicles with sport pack-
age*1Cover
2Towing eye
To remove cover:
Grip cover at bottom and securely pull
out.
To reinstall cover:

Engage cover and press in securely.
Stranded vehicle
Freeing a stranded vehicle, on which the
wheels are dug into sand or mud, should
be done with the greatest of care, especial-
ly if the vehicle is heavily loaded.
Avoid pulling the vehicle jerkily or diago-
nally, since it could result in damage to the
chassis alignment.
Never try to free a vehicle that is still cou-
pled to a trailer.
If possible, a vehicle equipped with trailer
hitch receiver should be pulled backward
in its own previously made tracks.

278 Technical dataEngine
EngineModel
ML 320 (163.154
1)
1The quoted data apply only to the standard vehicle. See an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center for the corresponding data of all special bodies and special equipment.
ML 350 (163.157
1)
ML 500 (163.175
1)
ML 55 AMG (163.174
1)
Engine
112
112
113
113
Mode of operation
4-stroke engine, gaso-
line injection
4-stroke engine, gaso-
line injection
4-stroke engine, gaso-
line injection
4-stroke engine, gasoline
injection
No. of cylinders
6
6
8
8
Bore
3.54 in (89.90 mm)
3.81 in (97.00 mm)
3.81 in (97.00 mm)
3.81 in (97.00 mm)
Stroke
3.31 in (84.00 mm)
3.31 in (84.00 mm)
3.31 in (84.00 mm)
3.62 in (92.00 mm)
Total piston displacement
195cu.in. (3199cm
3)
227cu.in. (3724cm
3)
303cu.in. (4966cm
3)
332cu.in. (5439cm
3)
Compression ratio
10:1
10:1
10:1
10.5:1
Output acc. to SAE J 1349
215 hp / 5600 rpm
(160 kW / 5600 rpm)
241 hp / 5600 rpm
(180 kW / 5600 rpm)
288 hp / 5600 rpm
(215 kW / 5600 rpm)
342 hp / 5500 rpm
(255 kW / 5500 rpm)
Maximum torque acc. to
SAE J 1349
233 ft.lb/ 3000 rpm
(315 Nm /3000 rpm)
259ft.lb/3000rpm
(350 Nm /3000 rpm)
325 ft.lb / 2700 rpm
(440 Nm / 2700 rpm)
376 ft.lb / 2800 rpm
(510 Nm / 2800 rpm)
Maximum engine speed
6000 rpm
6000 rpm
6000 rpm
6000 rpm
Firing order
1-4-3-6-2-5
1-4-3-6-2-5
1-5-4-2-6-3-7-8
1-5-4-2-6-3-7-8
Poly-V-belt
7ft 10in (2390mm)
7ft 10in (2390mm)
7 ft 10 in (2390 mm)
7ft 10in (2390mm)

315 Index
Side windows 134
Automatic closing 135
Automatic opening 135
Cleaning 220
Closing 135
Closing fully 135
Opening 135
Opening and closing 134
Opening fully 135
Rear quarter window 136
Stopping 135
Synchronizing power windows 136
Simultaneous wiping and washing
Rear window wiper/washer 48
Windshield wipers 48
Single wipe 48
Sliding/pop-up roof 137
Automatically opening 138
Closing 246
Opening 246
Stopping 137
Synchronizing 138
Sliding/pop-up roof*
Closing 137
Opening 137Snow chains 214
Spare fuses 271
Spare parts service 274
Spare tire
Inflating 259
Spare wheel 239
Mounting 255
Removing (except ML 55 AMG) 239
Spare wheel (ML 55 AMG)
Removing 240
Speed
Saving current 147
Speed settings
Cruise control 148
Speedometer 25
Speedometer display
Additional indicators 235
Split rear bench seat 93
SRS 61, 296
Indicator lamp 227
Standing lamps 102
Replacing bulbs 247, 248
Standing water
Driving instructions 185
StArt
Display messages 235Starting difficulties 45
Starting position 33
Starting the engine 44
Steep terrain
Driving 187
Steering lock 23, 33
Positions 33
Steering wheel
Adjusting 37
Cleaning 221
Stolen vehicle
Tracking services 168
Stop watch 175
Stopping
Sliding/pop-up roof 137
Windows 135
Storage compartments
Glove box 152
Under front passenger seat* 152
Storing (Memory function*)
Positions into memory 100
Stranded vehicle 270
Sun visor 123
Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) 296

317 Index
Tilt
Head restraint 36
Time
Setting hours 112
Setting minutes 112
Tire inflation pressure
Checking 201, 211
Tire speed rating 184, 296
Tire traction 183
Tires 209, 279, 291
Direction of rotation 210
Driving instructions 182
Retreads 209
Rims and tires 279
Rotating 212
Service life 210
Temperature 211
Temperature grades 292
Tread depth 213
Wear pattern 212
Winter 213
Tools 237
Vehicle jack 237
Vehicles with CD-changer* 238
Wheel bolt wrench 237Tow-away alarm 29, 79
Arming 79
Disarming 79
Disarming for transport 79
Towing
Trailer 192
Towing a trailer 194
Automatic transmission 117
Towing eyes
Front 269
Rear 269
Towing the vehicle 267
Stranded vehicle 270
Tracking services
For stolen vehicle 168
Traction 291, 296
Trailer
Attaching 194
Loading 193
Towing 194
Trailer hitches 192
Trailer towing 192
Attaching a trailer 194
Checking weights 193
Electrical connections 192
Hitches 192Loading 193
Parking 196
Weights and ratings 193
Trailer weights and ratings 193
Transfer case 296
Transmission control – LOW RANGE
mode 118
Switching off 118
Switching on 118
Transmission selector lever 245
Unlocking manually 245
Tread depth (tires) 213
Treadwear 291
Trip computer
Average fuel consumption 175
Compass 173
Distance remaining 175
Selecting functions 172
Setting date 172
Stop watch 175
Switching on 172
Trip computer* 29, 172
Country 176
Language 176
Trip odometer
Resetting 112