2003 MERCEDES-BENZ ML500 wheel

75 Safety and Security
Driving and safety systems
ESP
The Electronic Stability Program (ESP)
monitors the vehicle's traction (force of
adhesive friction between the tires and the
road surface) and handling.
The ESP recognizes when a wheel is spin-
ning or if the vehicle starts to skid. By ap-
plying brakes to the appropriate wheel and
by limiting engine output, the ESP works to
stabilize the vehicle.
The 4-ETS/ESP warning lamp
v
in the
speedometer dial flashes when the ESP is
engaged.
The
¿
warning lamp in the instrument
cluster (page 25) and the 4-ETS/ESP
warning lamp
v
in the speedometer
light up when you turn the key to
position2. They go out when the engine is
running.
Warning!
G
Never switch off the ESP when you see the
4-ETS/ESP-warning lamp
v
flashing in
the speedometer dial. In this case proceed
as follows:


While driving off, apply as little throttle
as possible.


While driving ease up on the accelera-
tor.


Adapt your speed and driving style to
the prevailing road conditions.
Failure to observe these guidelines could
cause the vehicle to skid.
The ESP cannot prevent accidents resulting
from excessive speed.
Warning!
G
The ESP cannot prevent the natural laws of
physics from acting on the vehicle, nor can
it increase the traction afforded. The ESP
cannot prevent accidents, including those
resulting from excessive speed in turns, fol-
lowing another vehicle too closely, or aqua-
planing. Only a safe, attentive, and skillful
driver can prevent accidents. The capabili-
ties of a ESP equipped vehicle must never be
exploited in a reckless or dangerous manner
which could jeopardize the user’s safety or
the safety of others.

76 Safety and SecurityDriving and safety systemsLOW RANGE – ESP
During off-road driving a special low range
system for the ESP is operational with
transmission in LOW RANGE mode
(page 118).
In the LOW RANGE mode ESP operates in
a traction improving fashion specifically
adapted for off-road driving. At speeds be-low 27 mph (45 km / h), the ESP assists in
over-/understeering, thus improving vehi-
cle traction.
Switching off the ESP
To improve the vehicle’s traction, turn off
the ESP in driving situations where it would
be advantageous to have drive wheels spin
and thus cut into surfaces for better grip
such as:


starting out on slippery surfaces and in
deep snow in conjunction with snow
chains


in sand or gravel


when driving off-roadWhen the ESP is turned off


engine torque is not limited.


the drive wheels can spin.
This helps the wheels cut into surfaces
for a better grip.
!The engine must be shut off when

the parking brake is being tested on
a brake test dynamometer.


the vehicle is being towed with the
front axle raised.
Otherwise, the ESP will engage the
brakes and seriously damage the brake
system.
The ESP will only function properly if
you use wheels of the recommended
tire size (
page 279).
Warning!
G
The ESP should not be switched off during
normal driving other than in the circum-
stances described below. Disabling of the
system will reduce vehicle stability in stan-
dard driving maneuvers.
!Avoid spinning of a drive wheel for an
extended period with the ESP switched
off. This may cause serious damage to
the drivetrain which is not covered by
the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.iTurn ESP on immediately if the afore-
mentioned circumstances do not apply
anymore.

77 Safety and Security
Driving and safety systems
The button is located in the upper center
console.
1ESP on/off
Press upper half of button.
The 4-ETS/ESP warning lamp
v
in
the speedometer dial comes on.Even if the ESP has been turned off, it is
still active in the following situations:


when braking


at vehicle speeds between approxi-
mately 24 mph (40 km/h) and 50 mph
(80 km/h), if one drive wheel loses
traction and begins to spin.
The brake is applied until the wheel re-
gains sufficient traction.
The 4-ETS/ESP warning lamp
v
, locat-
ed in the speedometer dial, starts to flash
at any speed as soon as the tires lose trac-
tion.Switching on the ESP

Press lower half of button.
The 4-ETS/ESP warning lamp
v
in
the speedometer goes out. You are
now again in normal driving mode.
More information can be found in the
“Practical hints” section (
page 224).
Warning!
G
When the 4-ETS / ESP warning lamp
v
is
illuminated continuously, the ESP is
switched off.
Adapt your speed and driving to the prevail-
ing road conditions and to the non-operating
status of the ESP.

89 Controls in detail
Locking and unlocking
Automatic central locking
The doors and the liftgate automatically
lock when the ignition is switched on and
the left front wheel turns at vehicle speeds
of approximately 9 mph (15 km/h) or
more.
If one of the front doors is then opened
from the inside, the vehicle is unlocked
centrally unless only the driver's door was
previously unlocked. The central locking button is located on
the lower center console.
Central locking button1Locking
2UnlockingActivating

Check that the ignition is switched on.
All the lamps in the instrument cluster
light up.

Press and hold upper part1 of the cen-
tral locking button for approximately
six seconds.
The automatic central locking is acti-
vated.
Deactivating

Check that the ignition is switched on.
All the lamps in the instrument cluster
light up.

Press and hold lower part2 of the cen-
tral locking button for approximately
six seconds.
The automatic central locking is deacti-
vated.
iThe doors unlock automatically after an
accident if the force of the impact ex-
ceeds a preset threshold.
To prevent the vehicle door locks from
locking, deactivate the automatic cen-
tral locking when the vehicle

is pushed or


is on a test stand

99 Controls in detail
Memory function*
Memory function*
With the memory button you can store up
to three different settings for the driver-
and passenger seat.
Together with the driver’s seat you can
store the exterior rear view mirrors.
For the front passenger seat you can store
the seat position.
1Position buttons
2Memory button
!Prior to operating the vehicle the driver
should check and adjust the seat
height, seat position fore and aft, and
seat backrest angle if necessary, to en-
sure adequate control, reach and com-
fort. The head restraint should also be
adjusted for proper height. Also see air-
bag section (
page 55) for proper seat
positioning.
In addition, adjust the steering wheel to
ensure adequate control, reach, opera-
tion and comfort. Both the inside and
outside rear view mirrors should be ad-
justed for adequate rear vision.
Fasten seat belts. Infants and small
children should be seated in a properly
secured restraint system that complies
with U.S. Federal Motor Vehicle Safety
Standard 213 and 225 and Canadian
Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 213 and
210.2.
Warning!
G
Do not activate the memory function while
driving. Activating the memory function
while driving could cause the driver to lose
control of the vehicle.

100 Controls in detailMemory function*Storing positions in memory
Adjust the seat (
page 36) and exteri-
or rear view mirrors (page 38) to the
desired position.

Push memory button2.

Release memory button and press one
of the position buttons1 within three
seconds.
All the settings are stored at the select-
ed position.
Recalling positions from memory
Press and hold one of the position
buttons1 until seat and rear view mir-
rors have fully moved to the stored po-
sitions.Exterior rear view mirror parking posi-
tion (passenger side)
For easier parking, you can adjust the pas-
senger exterior rear view mirror so that you
can see the right rear wheel as soon as you
engage reverse gearR.
!Do not operate the power seats using
the memory button if the seat backrest
is in an excessively reclined position.
Doing so could cause damage to front
or rear seats.iReleasing the button immediately
stops movement to the stored posi-
tions.

101 Controls in detail
Memory function*
Activating parking position
The buttons are on the lower part of the
center console.
1Deactivating parking position
2Activating parking position
3Adjustment button
Switch ignition on (if not already on).

Press button2.
The passenger side exterior rear view
mirror is selected.

Engage reverse gearR.
The passenger side exterior rear view
mirror moves automatically to the
stored parking position. The exterior rear view mirror returns to its
stored driving position:


10 seconds after you put the gear se-
lector lever in positionD


immediately once you exceed a speed
of approx. 6 mph (10 km/h)


immediately when you press the
button1 for driver’s side mirrorStoring parking position

Stop the vehicle.

Switch ignition on (if not already on).

Press button2.
The passenger side exterior rear view
mirror is selected.

Adjust the exterior rear view mirror
with button3 so that you see the rear
wheel and the curb.

Press memory button2 (
page 99).

Within three seconds, press bottom of
adjustment button3.
The parking position is stored if the
mirror does not move.
iIf the button1 is pressed, the automat-
ic passenger side exterior rear view
parking position is deactivated.
iIf the mirror does move, repeat the
above steps. After the setting is stored
you can move the mirror again.
The selected position will be stored rel-
ative to the position button1
(page 99) pressed.

113 Controls in detail
Automatic transmission
Automatic transmission
Information for driving with an automatic
transmission is found in the “Getting start-
ed” section (
page 44).
Your transmission adapts its gear shifting
process to your individual driving style by
continually adjusting the shift points up or
down. These shift point adjustments are
performed based on current operating and
driving conditions.
If the operating conditions change, the au-
tomatic transmission reacts by adjusting
its gear shift program.
The automatic transmission selects indi-
vidual gears automatically, dependent
upon


the selector lever positionD with gear
ranges4, 3, 2, 1


the position of the accelerator pedal
(page 117)


the vehicle speedWhen the selector lever is in positionD,
you can influence transmission shifting by


limiting the gear range


changing gears yourself
One-touch gearshifting
Even with an automatic transmission you
can change the gears yourself when the
selector lever is in positionD.
Downshifting
Briefly press the selector lever to the
left in the D–direction.
The transmission will shift from the cur-
rent gear to the next lower gear. This
action simultaneously limits the gear
range of the transmission
(page 114).
Warning!
G
It is dangerous to shift the selector lever out
ofP orN if the engine speed is higher than
idle speed. If your foot is not firmly on the
brake pedal, the vehicle could accelerate
quickly forward or reverse. You could lose
control of the vehicle and hit someone or
something. Only shift into gear when the en-
gine is idling normally and when your right
foot is firmly on the brake pedal.
Warning!
G
On slippery road surfaces, never downshift
in order to obtain braking action. This could
result in drive wheel slip and reduced vehi-
cle control. Your vehicle’s ABS will not pre-
vent this type of loss of control.