2003 MERCEDES-BENZ ML350 Cockpit

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

21 At a glance
Cockpit
Instrument cluster
Center console
Overhead control panel

22 At a glanceCockpit
Cockpit

23 At a glance
Cockpit
Item
Page
1
Hood lock release
202
2
Parking brake pedal
50
3
Parking brake release
50
4
Left cup holder
154
5
Combination switch

Turn signals


High beam
46
6
Cruise control lever
146
7
Instrument cluster
110
8
Hazard warning flasher
switch
106
9
Lever for voice control
system*, see separate
operating instructions
Item
Page
10
Windshield wiper/washer
switch
122
11
Front Parktronic* warning
indicator
150
12
Glove box
152
13
Right cup holder
154
14
Storage compartment
15
Electrical outlet
158
16
Horn
17
Headlamp washer button*
121
18
Steering lock with ignition
33
19
Steering wheel adjustment
stalk
37

243 Practical hints
Unlocking/locking in an emergency
Locking the vehicle
If you are unable to lock the vehicle with
the remote control, lock it with the me-
chanical key as follows:
Close the passenger doors and the lift-
gate.

Press the upper part of the central
locking button in the cockpit
(page 89).

Check to see whether the locking
knobs on the passenger doors are still
visible. If necessary push them down
manually.

Lock the liftgate if necessary from in-
side (
page 87).

Lock the driver’s door with the me-
chanical key.
Changing batteries
If the batteries in the remote control are
discharged, the vehicle can no longer be
locked or unlocked. It is recommended to
have the batteries replaced at an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center.
Batteries contain materials that can harm
the environment if disposed of improperly.
Recycling of batteries is the preferred
method of disposal. Many states require
sellers of batteries to accept old batteries
for recycling.1Release button
2Battery cover
Replacement batteries: Lithium, type
CR 2025 or equivalent.

Unfold the key by pressing release
button1.
Warning!
G
Keep the batteries out of reach of children.
If a battery is swallowed, seek medical help
immediately.
iWhen changing batteries, always re-
place both batteries.
The required replacement batteries are
available at any Mercedes-Benz Light
Truck Center.


293 Technical terms
ABS
(A
ntilock B
rake S
ystem)
Prevents the wheels from locking up
during braking so that the vehicle can
continue to be steered.
BabySmart
TM
airbag deactivation
system
This system detects if a special system
compatible child restraint seat is in-
stalled on the front passenger seat. The
system will automatically deactivate
the passenger front airbag when such a
seat is properly installed (indicator
lamp
7
in the instrument cluster
lights up). See your authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center for
availability.
BabySmartTM
compatible child seats
Special restraint system for children.
The sensor system for the passenger
seat prevents deployment of the pas-
senger front airbag if a BabySmart
TM
compatible child seat is installed.BAS
(B
rake A
ssist S
ystem)
System for potentially reducing braking
distances in emergency braking situa-
tions. The system is activated when it
senses an emergency based on how
fast the brake is applied.
Bi-Xenon headlamps*
Headlamps which use an electric arc as
the light source and produce a more in-
tense light than filament headlamps.
Bi-Xenon headlamps produce low
beam and high beam.
CAC
(C
ustomer A
ssistance C
enter)
Mercedes-Benz customer service cen-
ter, which can help you with any ques-
tions about your vehicle and provide
assistance in the event of a break-
down.CAN system
(C
ontroller A
rea N
etwork)
Data bus network serving to control ve-
hicle functions such as door locking or
windshield wiping.
Cockpit
All instruments, switches, buttons and
indicator/warning lamps in the passen-
ger compartment needed for vehicle
operation and monitoring.
Cruise control
Driving convenience system for auto-
matically maintaining the vehicle speed
set by the driver.
Engine number
The number set by the manufacturer
and placed on the cylinder block to
uniquely identify each engine pro-
duced.

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

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