2003 MERCEDES-BENZ ML350 outlet

Contents
Tow-away alarm,
glass breakage sensor.................... 79
Controls in detail............................... 83
Locking and unlocking ......................... 84
Remote control with folding key ..... 84
Opening the doors
from the inside ............................... 86
Opening the liftgate........................ 87
Closing the liftgate ......................... 88
Automatic central locking .............. 89
Locking and unlocking
from the inside ............................... 90
Seats.................................................... 91
Seat heater*................................... 91
Removing and installing
head restraints ............................... 92
Rear seats ...................................... 93
Third row seats* ............................. 96
Memory function*................................ 99
Storing positions in memory ........ 100
Recalling positions from memory . 100
Exterior rear view mirror parking
position (passenger side) ............. 100Lighting.............................................. 102
Combination switch ..................... 102
Fog lamps .................................... 105
Hazard warning flasher ................ 106
Interior lighting............................. 107
Instrument cluster ............................. 110
Instrument cluster illumination .... 110
Coolant temperature gauge ......... 111
Display in the speedometer ......... 111
Resetting trip odometer ............... 112
Tachometer .................................. 112
Outside temperature indicator ..... 112
Setting the clock .......................... 112
Automatic transmission ..................... 113
One-touch gearshifting................. 113
Gear ranges.................................. 114
Gear selector lever position ......... 115
Accelerator position ..................... 117
Towing a trailer ............................ 117
Emergency operation (Limp Home
Mode)........................................... 117
Transmission control –
LOW RANGE mode............................. 118
Switching on LOW RANGE mode .. 118
Switching off LOW RANGE mode . 118Good visibility .................................... 119
Rear view mirror .......................... 119
Headlamp cleaning system* ........ 121
Windshield wipers ........................ 122
Rear window wiper....................... 123
Sun visor ...................................... 123
Automatic climate control ................. 124
Automatic mode .......................... 126
Adjusting air volume and air
distribution manually ................... 127
Defrosting .................................... 128
Air recirculation mode.................. 128
Air conditioning ............................ 129
Residual heat and ventilation ....... 130
Rear window defroster ................. 131
Rear passenger compartment
ventilation and rear automatic
climate control ............................. 131
Front and rear air outlets ............. 132
Power windows.................................. 134
Opening and closing the side
windows ....................................... 134
Rear quarter windows* ................ 136
Sliding/pop-up roof* ......................... 137
Opening and closing the
sliding/pop-up roof ...................... 137

Contents
Loading.............................................. 139
Loading instructions..................... 139
Partition net* ............................... 141
Cargo area cover blind* ............... 143
Cargo floor plates ........................ 144
Roof rack*.................................... 145
Driving systems ................................. 146
Cruise control .............................. 146
Parktronic system*
(Parking assist) ............................ 149
Useful features .................................. 152
Interior storage spaces ................ 152
Cup holders.................................. 154
Armrest in rear seat bench .......... 155
Ashtrays and cigarette lighter ...... 156
Electrical outlet ............................ 158
Telephone* .................................. 158
Tele Aid* ...................................... 159
Garage door opener ..................... 168
Trip computer*............................. 172Operation......................................... 177
The first 1000 miles (1500 km) ......... 178
Driving instructions............................ 179
Drive sensibly – save fuel............. 179Drinking and driving ...................... 179
Pedals ........................................... 179
Power assistance .......................... 179
Brakes........................................... 180
Driving off ..................................... 181
Parking.......................................... 182
Tires .............................................. 182
Hydroplaning................................. 183
Tire traction .................................. 183
Tire speed rating ........................... 184
Winter driving instructions ............ 184
Standing water.............................. 185
Off-road driving ............................. 186
Trailer towing ................................ 192
Passenger compartment ............... 196
Driving abroad .............................. 197
Control and operation of radio
transmitters .................................. 197
Catalytic converter........................ 198
Emission control ........................... 198
Coolant temperature..................... 199
At the gas station ............................... 200
Check regularly and
before a long trip .......................... 201Engine compartment .......................... 202
Hood ............................................. 202
Engine oil ...................................... 203
Transmission fluid level ................ 206
Coolant ......................................... 206
Battery .......................................... 207
Windshield washer system and
headlamp cleaning system ........... 208
Tires and wheels ................................ 209
Important guidelines ..................... 209
Life of tire ..................................... 210
Direction of rotation ..................... 210
Checking tire inflation pressure .... 211
Rotating wheels ............................ 212
Winter driving ..................................... 213
Winter tires ................................... 213
Block heater (Canada only) ........... 214
Snow chains ................................. 214
Maintenance ...................................... 215
Clearing the service indicator ....... 215
Service term exceeded ................. 215
Calling up the service indicator .... 216
Resetting the service indicator ..... 216
Vehicle care ....................................... 217
Cleaning and care
of the vehicle ................................ 217

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

27 At a glance
Center console
Center console
Upper part
Item
Page
1
Air outlets, automatic
climate control
132
2
MCS, see separate
operating instructions
3
Automatic climate control
124
Rear window defroster
switch
131
4
Seat heater switch*,
passenger side
91
5
Rear quarter window
switch*, right
136
6
ESP control switch
75
Item
Page
7
Rear window wiper/wash-
er switch
123
8
Rear quarter window
switch*, left
136
9
Seat heater switch*,
driver’s side
91
10
Front and rear fog lamp
switch
105
11
Indicator lamp for antitheft
alarm system
78
12
Transmission control
switch, LOW RANGE mode
118

43 Getting started
Driving
Seat belt height adjustment
Seat belt height can be adjusted for the fol-
lowing seats:

Driver’s seat


Passenger seat


Outer rear seats
Adjust seat belt so that the shoulder por-
tion is located as close as possible to the
middle of the shoulder (it should not touch
the neck or pass under the arm).1Release buttonAdjusting seat belt higher

Slide belt outlet upward.
The belt outlet engages in various posi-
tions.
Adjusting seat belt lower

Press and hold release button1.

Slide belt outlet in desired position and
let go of release button1.

125 Controls in detail
Automatic climate control
Automatic climate control panel in the front
Item
1
Thumbwheel center air outlet
2
Center air outlet, adjustable
3
Defroster air outlet windshield
4
Thumbwheels side air outlet
5
Side air outlet, adjustable
6
Footwell air outlet
7
Automatic climate control
Item
1
Air volume control
2
Defrosting
3
Air recirculation
4
Temperature control
5
Automatic control (temperature, air
distribution, air volume)
6
AC
OFF
(AC cooling on/off), econo-
my mode
Residual heat/ventilation
7
Interior temperature sensor
8
Air distribution control
9
Rear window defroster
10
Rear passenger compartment venti-
lation on/off

128 Controls in detailAutomatic climate controlAdjusting air distribution
Turn air distribution control8
(page 125) to one the following sym-
bols:
Windshield fogged on the outside

Switch the windshield wipers on.

Turn air distribution control8 to
h

or
k
.
Defrosting
Activating
Press button
P
(page 125).
The indicator lamp on the button lights
up.
Deactivating

Press button
P
again.
or

Press button
U
(page 125).
The indicator lamp on the button lights
up.
The indicator lamp on the button lights up.
Air recirculation mode
Switch to air recirculation mode to prevent
unpleasant odors from entering the vehicle
from the outside. This setting cuts off the
intake of outside air and recirculates the
air in the passenger compartment.
Symbol
Function
h
Directs air to the center
and side air outlets
j
Directs air to the wind-
shield and side air outlets
V
Directs air into the entire
vehicle interior
k
Directs air to the foot-
wells and side air outlets
iThese settings should only be selected
for a short time.
When the defrost setting has been se-
lected, only the rear window defroster
can be switched on. No other settings
are possible.
Warning!
G
When the outside temperature is below
41°F (5°C), only switch to air recirculation
mode for short periods to prevent window
fogging.

132 Controls in detailAutomatic climate controlAutomatic mode
The automatic climate control panel for the
rear is located on the rear center console.
1Air volume control
2Air distribution control
3Automatic control (air distribution, air
volume)
Press button
U
.
The indicator lamp on the button lights
up.
The automatic climate control cools or
heats the interior depending on the
temperature selected on the front cli-
mate control unit.Adjusting air volume and air distribu-
tion manually
Adjusting air volume

Press upper part of button
R
.
The blower setting is increased each
time the button is pressed.

Press lower part of button
R
.
The blower setting is decreased each
time the button is pressed.Adjusting air distribution

Press
Ô
, upper part of button2.
Air is directed upwards.

Press
Ó
, lower part of button2.
Air is directed to the footwell.
Front and rear air outlets
iWhen the air volume or air distribution
control is pressed, the automatic mode
is switched off. The indicator lamp in
button
U
is turned off. Temperature
setting remains in automatic mode.
iFor draft-free ventilation, adjust the air
outlets upwards
To allow unrestricted operation of the
automatic climate control, the air out-
lets should remain open.