2003 MERCEDES-BENZ ML500 sensor

220 OperationVehicle careOrnamental moldings
For regular cleaning and care of very dirty
chrome-plated parts, use a chrome clean-
er.
Headlamps, tail lamps, turn signal
lenses
Use a mild car wash detergent, such as
Mercedes-Benz approved Car Shampoo,
with plenty of water.
To prevent scratches, never apply strong
force and use only a soft, non-scratchy
cloth when cleaning the lenses. Do not at-
tempt to wipe dirty lenses with a dry cloth
or sponge.Cleaning the Parktronic* system
sensor
1Parktronic system sensor
Use a mild car wash detergent, such as
Mercedes-Benz approved Car Shampoo,
with plenty of water to clean the sensor1.
When using a steam cleaner or power
washer, aim nozzle only briefly from a min-
imum distance of 4 in. (10 cm) at
sensors1.
To prevent scratches, never apply strong
force and use only a soft, non-scratchy
cloth when cleaning the sensor. Do not at-
tempt to wipe dirty sensors with a dry cloth
or sponge.Wiper blades
Clean the wiper blade inserts with a clean
cloth and detergent solution.
Window cleaning
Use a window cleaning solution on all glass
surfaces. An automotive glass cleaner is
recommended.
iFor safety reasons, remove key from
steering lock before cleaning the wiper
blades, otherwise the wiper motor can
suddenly turn on and cause injury.iFor safety reasons, switch off wipers
and remove key from steering lock be-
fore cleaning the windshield, otherwise
the wiper motor can suddenly turn on
and cause injury.

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.

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

306 Index
Gasoline additives 287
Premium unleaded gasoline 200, 286
Requirements 287
Reserve warning 25
Fuel additives 287
Fuel filler flap 200
Locking 200
Opening 244
Unlocking 200
Fuel requirements 287
Fuel tank
Filler flap 200
Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc. 284
Functions
Trip computer 172
Fuse box 271, 272
Fuse chart 271
Fuses 271
Fuse box in engine compartment 271
Fuse box in passenger footwell 272
Fuse chart 271
Fuse extractor 271
Spare fuses 271G
Garage door opener 29, 168
Erasing in remote control 171
Integrated remote control 169
Rolling code programming 170
Gasoline see Fuel 200
Gasoline additives 287
Gauge for
Coolant temperature 25
Fuel 25
Outside temperature 25
Gear range 294
Automatic transmission 114
Limiting 114
Shifting into optimal 114
Gear range limit
Canceling 114
Gear selector lever
Cleaning 221
Position 115
Glass breakage sensor 79
Global Positioning System (GPS) 294
Glossary 293Glove box 23, 152
Closing 152
Opening 152
Good visibility 119
GPS 294
H
Hand-held transmitter
Programming integrated remote con-
trol 169
Hard plastic trim items
Cleaning 221
Hazard warning flasher 106
Switching off 106
Switching on 106
Head restraint
Installing 92
Removing 92
Head restraints
Manual seats 36
Power seats* 37
Headlamp aim
Adjusting 253
Headlamp cleaning system* 208

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

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

319 Index
Vehicle lighting
Checking 201
Vehicle tool kit 237
Vehicle with CD-changer* 238
Vehicle washing 219
VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) 276,
297
Voice control system* 297
W
Warning indicators
Parktronic* 150
Warning sounds
Drivers seat belts 60
Parking brake 46
Warranty coverage 275
Washer fluid see Windshield washer fluid
Washing the vehicle 217
Wear pattern (tires) 212
Weights 283
Wheel bolt wrench 237
Wheel change
Tightening torque 258
Wheels
Rotating 212
Tires and wheels 209Window curtain airbags 59
Windows see Side windows
Windshield
Defogging 128
Refilling washer fluid 208
Replacing wiper blades 254
Washer fluid 208, 290
Washer system 290
Windshield washer fluid 290
Filler neck 208
Mixing ratio 290
Refilling 208
Wiping with 48
Windshield washer system 290
Windshield wipers 47, 122
Intermittent 47
Interval wiping 122
Normal wiper speed 47
Rain sensor* 122
Rear window wiper/washer 48
Replacing wiper blades 254
Simultaneous wiping and washing 48
Single wipe 48
Switching on 47
Wiping with windshield washer fluid 48Winter driving 213
Block heater 214
Snow chains 214
Tires 213
Winter tires 280
Winter driving instructions 184
Winter tires 213, 280
Wiper blades
Cleaning 220
Installing 254
Removing 254
Replacing 254
Wiper switch 47
Wiper/washer
Rear window 48
Wiping
And washing simultaneously 48
Intermittent 47, 122
With windshield washer fluid 48
Wiping and washing simultaneously 48
X
Xenon headlamps
Bi-Xenon 293