2003 MERCEDES-BENZ ML350 center console

155 Controls in detail
Useful features
Cup holder in front of armrest
Opening the cup holder
Slide cover rearward (
page 154).

Fold the cup holder forward.
Closing the cup holder

Fold the cup holder backward.

Slide cover forward.Cup holder in rear center console
Opening the cup holder

Briefly touch the cover.
The cup holder opens automatically.
Closing the cup holder

Press the cup holder forward and press
on it until it engages.
Armrest in rear seat bench
Pull the armrest down by its top.
!Close the cup holder before folding the
rear seat bench.

156 Controls in detailUseful featuresAshtrays and cigarette lighter Ashtray and cigarette lighter in the
front center console
1Ashtray
2Cigarette lighter
3Cover plate
Opening the ashtray

Briefly touch cover plate3.
The ashtray opens automatically.Removing ashtray insert

Secure vehicle from movement by set-
ting the parking brake. Move the selec-
tor lever to positionN.
Now you have more room to take out
the insert.

Grip the insert on the sides and pull it
out upwards.
Reinstalling ashtray insert

Install ashtray insert.

Close the ashtray.
Warning!
G
Never touch the heating element or sides of
the cigarette lighter; they are extremely hot.
Hold the knob only.
When leaving the vehicle always remove the
key from the steering lock. Do not leave chil-
dren unattended in the vehicle, or with ac-
cess to an unlocked vehicle. Unsupervised
use of vehicle equipment may cause an ac-
cident and/or serious personal injury.iThe cigarette lighter socket can be
used to accommodate electrical acces-
sories up to a maximum of 50 W.
If the engine is off, the battery may be-
come discharged when used for long
periods of time.
Warning!
G
Remove ashtray only with vehicle standing
still. Set the parking brake to secure vehicle
from movement. Move gear selector lever to
positionN. With gear selector lever in
positionN, turn off the engine.

157 Controls in detail
Useful features
Cigarette lighter
Switch on the ignition.

Push in cigarette lighter2
(page 156).
The cigarette lighter will pop out auto-
matically when hot.
Ashtray and cigarette lighter in the rear
center console
1Ashtray
2Cigarette lighter
3Cover plate
Opening the ashtray

Briefly touch cover plate3.
The ashtray opens automatically.
Removing ashtray insert

Grip the insert on the sides and pull it
out upwards.Reinstalling ashtray insert

Install ashtray insert.

Close the ashtray.
Cigarette lighter

Switch on the ignition.

Push in cigarette lighter2.
The cigarette lighter will pop out auto-
matically when hot.
!Close the ashtray in the rear center
console before folding the rear seat
bench.

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

302 IndexCargo floor plates 144
Installing 144
Removing 144
Storing 144
Cargo tie-down rings 140
Catalytic converter 198
CD-changer* 238
Center console 27
Lower part 28
Upper part 27
Central locking
Automatic 89
From inside 89
Switch 90
Unlocking from inside 89, 90
Central locking switch 90
Certification label 276
Charge indicator lamp 233
Charging
Vehicle battery 262
Chart
Fuses 271
CHECK ENGINE malfunction indicator
lamp 232
Checking
Coolant level 201, 206Oil level 201, 203
Tire inflate pressure 201
Vehicle lighting 201
Checking weights
Trailer and vehicle 193
Checklist
Off-road driving 187
Returning from off-road driving 191
Child safety 63
Airbags 56
Infant and child restraint systems 54,
60, 63
LATCH child seat mounts 68
Child safety switch see Blocking of rear
door window operation 69
Cigarette lighter
Front center console 156
Cleaning
Cup holder 221
Gear selector lever 221
Hard plastic trim items 221
Headlamps 121
Headliner 221
Instrument cluster 221
Leather upholstery 222
Light alloy wheels 221MB Tex upholstery 222
Plastic and rubber parts 222
Seat belts 221
Steering wheel 221
Windows 220
Windshield 48
Wiper blades 220
Cleaning and care of the vehicle see
Vehicle care 217
Clock 26, 112
Closing
Glove box 152
Hood 203
Liftgate 88
Rear quarter windows* 136
Side windows 135
Sliding/pop-up roof 246
Sliding/pop-up roof* 137
Closing sliding/pop-up roof
In an emergency 246
Cockpit 22, 293
Combination switch 102
High beam flasher 47, 102
Turn signals 47
Windshield wipers 47

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

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