2003 MERCEDES-BENZ ML350 towing

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.

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

304 IndexDisplay messages
Error 235
Service indicator (FSS) 235
StArt 235
Displays
Service indicator 215
Distance remaining 175
Door entry lamps 107
Door unlock
With Tele Aid* 167
Doors
Opening from inside vehicle 86
Opening from outside 85
Downhill driving
Cruise control 147
Downshifting 113
Drink holder see Cup holder 155
Drinking and driving 179
Driving 40, 45
Abroad 197
General instructions 179
In winter 184
Problems 49
Safety systems 71
Through standing water 185
Driving abroad 197Driving instructions 179
Towing a trailer 194
Driving off 181
Driving safety systems
4-ETS 73
ABS 71
BAS 73
ESP 75
Driving systems 146
Cruise control 146
Driving safety systems 71
EBP 74
Parktronic* 149
Driving through water 189
E
Easy entry/exit feature* 95
EBP 74
Indicator lamp 229
Economy mode
Automatic climate control 125
Electric air pump 238
Electrical connections
Trailer 192
Electrical fuses 271
Electrical outlet 158Electrical system
Technical data 281
Electronic Brake Proportioning see EBP
Electronic Stability Program see ESP 25,
75
Electronic stability program see ESP 294
Electronic Traction System see 4-ETS 25
Emergency call system
Requirements 160
Emergency call system* 160
Emergency calls
Initiating an emergency call 163
With Tele Aid* 161
Emergency operation (Limp Home
Mode) 117
Emergency operations
Closing sliding/pop-up roof 246
Locking the vehicle 243
Opening sliding/pop-up roof 246
Remote door unlock 167
Unlocking the vehicle 242
Emergency tensioning device
see ETD 62, 294
Emission control 198
Emission control label 276

305 Index
Engine
Compartment 202
Starting 44
Technical data 278
Turning off 51
Engine cleaning 219
Engine compartment
Fuse box in 271
Hood 202
Engine malfunction indicator lamp 25, 232
Engine number 293
Engine oil 203, 286
Adding 204, 205
Additives 286
Checking level 203
Consumption 203
Filler neck 205
Viscosity 294
Engine oil level indicator 204
Engine oil level see Oil level 201
Enlarged cargo area 93
Error
Display messages 235
ESP 25, 75, 294
LOW RANGE mode 76
Malfunction indicator lamp 225, 226Switching off 76
Switching on 77
Warning lamp 224, 225, 226
ETD 294
Safety guidelines 57
ETD (Emergency Tensioning Device) 54
ETD (Emergency tensioning device) 62
Exterior mirrors
Folding 120
Exterior rear view mirrors 38
Adjusting 38
F
Fastening the seat belts 40
Fine adjustment
Cruise control 148
First aid kit 236
Flat tire 255
Inflating the spare tire 259
Lowering the vehicle 258
Mounting the spare wheel 255
Preparing the vehicle 255
Spare wheel 239
Flexible Service System (FSS) 215, 294
Flexible service system (FSS) 25
Fluid level
Automatic transmission 206Fog lamp, rear 248
Fog lamps 105
Replacing bulbs 247
Fog lamps, front
Replacing bulbs 248
Switching on 105
Folding
Exterior mirrors 120
4-ETS 25, 73
Indicator lamp 226
LOW RANGE mode 74
Malfunction indicator lamp 226
Warning lamp 224
Front airbags 59
Front fog lamps
Indicator lamp 229
Switching off 106
Front lamps
Replacing bulbs 247, 249
Switching on 102
Front towing eyes 269
FSS 25
FSS (Flexible Service System) 215, 294
Fuel 200
Additives 287
Fuel reserve warning lamp 233

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

312 IndexPower windows
Blocking of rear door window
operation 69
Side windows 134
Synchronizing 136
Practical hints
First aid kit 236
Fuses 271
Lamps in instrument cluster 224
Spare wheel 239
Towing the vehicle 267
Vehicle jack 238
Vehicle tool kit 237
Premium unleaded gasoline 286
Problems
While driving 49
With vehicle 18
Product information 9
R
Radio transmitters, control and
operation 197
Rain sensor 122, 123
Rapid seat heating
Switching off 91
Switching on 91
Reading lamp 29Reading lamps 108
Rear automatic climate control 131
Adjusting air volume and air distribu-
tion manually 132
Automatic mode 132
Rear bench seat
Foldable 93
Rear door window
Blocking operation 69
Rear fog lamp 248
Bulb 248
Switching off 106
Switching on 105
Rear lamp bulbs
Replacing 251
Rear parking lamp
Replacing bulbs 251
Rear passenger compartment ventilation
and climate control
Activating 131
Deactivating 131
Rear passenger compartment ventilation
and rear automatic climate control 131
Rear quarter windows 136
Opening 136Rear quarter windows*
Closing 136
Rear seats 93
Easy entry/exit feature* 95
Enlarging cargo area 93
Folding down backrest 93
Folding up 94
Folding up backrest 94
Fore and aft 93
Lowering 94
Third row* 96
Rear standing lamp
Replacing bulbs 251
Rear towing eyes 269
Rear view mirror automatic antiglare 119
Rear view mirrors see Mirrors
Rear window defroster 131
Activating 131
Deactivating 131
Rear window wiper 123
Rain sensor* 123
Rear window wiper/washer 48
Reconnecting
Vehicle battery 262
Refrigerant
Air conditioning 286

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

318 IndexTrip odometer display 111
Trunk see Cargo compartment 85
Turn signal lamps
Replacing bulbs 247, 248, 250
Turn signals 47
Additional in mirrors 247
Cleaning lenses 220
Front bulbs 247
Indicator lamps 25
Rear bulbs 248, 251
Turning off
Engine 51
U
Unlocking 32, 84
Centrally from inside 90
Driver’s door in an emergency 242
Driver’s door, fuel filler flap 85
Fuel filler flap 200
In an emergency 242
Transmission selector lever
manually 245
Vehicle in an emergency 167
With the remote control 32
Upgrade signals
Tele Aid* 166Uphill driving
Cruise control 147
Upholstery
Cleaning 222
Upshifting 114
Useful features 152
Ashtrays and cigarette lighter 156
Cup holder 154
Electrical outlet 158
Garage door opener 168
Interior storage spaces 152
Tele Aid* 159
Telephone* 158
Trip computer* 172
V
Vehicle
Locking 28
Locking in an emergency 243
Lowering 258
Proper use of 17
Service battery 261
Towing 267
Unlocking 28
Unlocking in an emergency 242
Vehicle and trailer weights and ratings 193
Vehicle battery 261Vehicle care 217
Cup holder 221
Engine cleaning 219
Gear selector lever 221
Hard plastic trim items 221
Headlamps 220
Instrument cluster 221
Leather upholstery 222
Light alloy wheels 221
MB Tex upholstery 222
Ornamental moldings 220
Paintwork 219
Parktronic* system sensor 220
Plastic and rubber parts 222
Power washer 218
Seat belts 221
Steering wheel 221
Tail lamps 220
Tar stains 218
Turn signals 220
Upholstery 222
Vehicle washing 219
Window cleaning 220
Wiper blades 220
Vehicle identification number (VIN) 276
Vehicle jack 238