2003 MERCEDES-BENZ ML500 all wheel

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

ContentsPractical hints.................................. 223
What to do if … .................................. 224
Lamps in instrument cluster ......... 224
Additional indicators in the
speedometer display .................... 235
Where will I find ...?............................ 236
First aid kit ................................... 236
Vehicle tool kit ............................. 237
Electric air pump (ML 55 AMG) .... 238
Spare wheel (space-saver tire) ..... 239
Unlocking/locking in an emergency .. 242
Unlocking the vehicle ................... 242
Locking the vehicle ...................... 243
Changing batteries ....................... 243
Fuel filler flap ............................... 244
Manually unlocking the
transmission selector lever .......... 245
Opening/closing in an emergency ..... 246
Sliding/pop-up roof* .................... 246
Replacing bulbs ................................. 247
Bulbs ............................................ 247
Replacing bulbs for front lamps.... 249
Replacing bulbs for rear lamps ..... 251
Adjusting headlamp aim ............... 253Replacing wiper blades ...................... 254
Removal ....................................... 254
Installation ................................... 254
Flat tire .............................................. 255
Mounting the spare wheel ............ 255
Battery ............................................... 261
Disconnecting the battery ............ 261
Removing the batteries ................ 262
Charging and reinstalling
batteries....................................... 262
Reconnecting the batteries .......... 262
Jump starting ..................................... 264
Towing the vehicle ............................. 267
Front towing eye .......................... 269
Rear towing eye ........................... 269
Stranded vehicle .......................... 270
Fuses ................................................. 271
Fuse box in engine
compartment ............................... 271
Auxiliary fuse box in front
passenger footwell ....................... 272
Technical data................................. 273
Spare parts service............................ 274
Warranty coverage ............................ 275
Loss of Service and Warranty
Information Booklet ..................... 275
Identification labels ........................... 276
Layout of poly-V-belt drive ................. 277
Engine ............................................... 278
Rims and tires ................................... 279
Rims and tires .............................. 279
Rims and winter tires* ................. 280
Spare wheel ................................. 280
Electrical system ............................... 281
Main Dimensions ............................... 282
Weights ............................................. 283
Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc. .......... 284
Capacities .................................... 284
Engine oils ................................... 286
Engine oil additives ...................... 286
Air conditioning refrigerant .......... 286
Brake fluid.................................... 286
Premium unleaded gasoline ......... 286
Fuel requirements ........................ 287
Gasoline additives ........................ 287
Coolants ...................................... 287

14 IntroductionOperator’s ManualWarning!
G
This Sport Utility Vehicle is designed for both on-road and off-road use. It can go places and perform tasks for which conventional 2-wheel drive
passenger cars were not intended. This vehicle will handle and maneuver differently from conventional passenger cars in driving conditions which
may occur on streets, highways and off-road use.
This vehicle has a higher ground clearance and a higher center of gravity than many passenger cars. As with other vehicles of this type, if you
make sharp turns at excessive speeds or abrupt maneuvers, the vehicle may roll over or may go out of control and crash. Utility vehicles have a
significantly higher rollover rate than other types of vehicles. Failure to operate this vehicle safely may result in an accident, rollover of the vehicle,
and severe or fatal injury.
Before you start to drive this vehicle, read the Operator’s Manual. Take time to become familiar with the driving characteristics of this vehicle. Be
sure you are familiar with all vehicle controls. Learn how your vehicle handles on different road surfaces. Do not attempt sharp turns at excessive
speeds or abrupt maneuvers or other unsafe driving actions that can cause loss of vehicle control. When driving off-road or working the vehicle
hard, do not overload it. And, always wear your seat belts at all times. In a rollover crash, an unbelted person is significantly more likely to die than
a person wearing a seat belt.

33 Getting started
Unlocking
Steering lock positions
Steering lock0For removing key
The steering is locked when the key is
removed from the steering lock. If nec-
essary, move steering wheel slightly to
allow the locking mechanism to en-
gage.
1Unlocking steering. Power supplies to
some electrical consumers, such as
seat adjustment
2Ignition (power supply for all electrical
consumers) and driving position (selec-
tor lever is unlocked)
3Starting positionMore information can be found in the
“Controls in detail” section (
page 84).
Warning!
G
When leaving the vehicle always remove the
key from the steering lock and lock the vehi-
cle. Do not leave children unattended in the
vehicle, or with access to an unlocked vehi-
cle. Unsupervised use of vehicle equipment
may cause an accident and/or serious per-
sonal injury.
!To prevent accelerated battery dis-
charge and a possible dead battery, al-
ways remove the key from the steering
lock.iThe key can only be withdrawn in
position0.
If necessary, move steering wheel
slightly to allow the key to be turned
clockwise to position1.
A warning sounds when the driver’s
door is opened and the key is in steer-
ing lock position0 or1.

34 Getting startedAdjusting
AdjustingSeats
Depending on the vehicle’s equipment,
you can adjust the seats manually or elec-
trically.Warning!
G
All seat, head restraint, steering wheel, and
rear view mirror adjustments, as well as fas-
tening of seat belts, must be done before
the vehicle is put into motion.Warning!
G
Do not adjust the driver’s seat while driving.
Adjusting the seat while driving could cause
the driver to lose control of the vehicle.
Never ride in a moving vehicle with the seat
back reclined. Sitting in an excessively re-
clined position can be dangerous. You could
slide under the seat belt in a collision. If you
slide under it, the belt would apply force at
the abdomen or neck.
That could cause serious or fatal injuries.
The seat back and seat belts provide the
best restraint when the wearer is in an up-
right position and belts are properly posi-
tioned on the body. Your seat must be
adjusted so that you can correctly fasten
your seat belt (
page 40).
Never place hands under the seat or near
any moving parts while a seat is being ad-
justed.
Warning!
G
When leaving the vehicle always remove the
key from the steering lock and lock your ve-
hicle.
Do not leave children unattended in the ve-
hicle or with access to an unlocked vehicle.
Unsupervised use of vehicle equipment may
cause an accident and/or serious personal
injury.
Warning!
G
Children 12 years old and under must never
ride in the front seat, except in a
Mercedes-Benz authorized BabySmart
TM
compatible child seat, which operates with
the BabySmart
TM system installed in the ve-
hicle to deactivate the passenger side front
airbag when it is properly installed. Other-
wise they will be struck by the airbag when
it inflates in a crash. If this happens, serious
or fatal injury will result.
According to accident statistics, children
are safer when properly restrained in the
rear seating positions than in the front seat-
ing positions. Infants and small children
must ride in back seats and be seated in an
appropriate infant or child restraint system,
which is properly secured with the vehicle's
seat belt and top tether strap, or secured via
lower anchors and top tether strap, fully in
accordance with the child seat manufactur-
er’s instructions.

35 Getting started
Adjusting
Adjusting manual seats
1Seat height
2Seat fore and aft adjustment
3Backrest tilt
4Head restraint heightSeat height

Raise lever 1.

The seat moves downward.

Lean forward to raise the seat.

Release lever1.
Seat fore and aft adjustment

Lift handle2.

Slide seat to desired position.
Adjust a comfortable seating position
that still allows you to reach the accel-
erator/brake pedal safely. The position
should be as far rearward as possible,
consistent with ability to properly oper-
ate controls.

Release handle2.
The seat must be properly engaged.
A child’s risk of serious or fatal injuries is
significantly increased if the child restraints
are not properly secured in the vehicle and
the child is not properly secured in the child
restraint.
iIf necessary, hold onto the steering
wheel while adjusting the seat height in
order to take weight off the seat.

36 Getting startedAdjustingBackrest tilt
Turn handwheel3 until your hands are
slightly angled when holding the steer-
ing wheel.
Head restraint height

Pull up or push down on head restraint
until it is in desired position.Head restraint tilt

Manually adjust the angle of the head
restraint. Push or pull on the lower
edge of the head restraint cushion.
Adjusting power seats*
The seat adjustment switch is located on
the entry side of each front seat base.

Switch on the ignition by turning the
key in the steering lock to position2
(page 33).
All the lights in the instrument cluster
light up.1Seat height
2Seat fore and aft adjustment
3Seat cushion tilt
4Backrest tilt
Seat height

Press the switch up or down in the di-
rection of arrow1.
Warning!
G
For your protection, drive only with properly
positioned head restraints.
Adjust head restraint to support the back of
the head approximately at ear level.
Do not drive the vehicle without the seat
head restraints. Head restraints are intend-
ed to help reduce injuries during an acci-
dent.
Warning!
G
The power seats can also be operated with
the appropriate door open. Do not leave
children unattended in the vehicle, or with
access to an unlocked vehicle. Unsuper-
vised use of vehicle equipment may cause
an accident and/or serious personal injury.

37 Getting started
Adjusting
Seat fore and aft adjustment
Press the switch forward or backward
in the direction of arrow2 until you can
comfortably press the pedals all the
way to the floor.
Seat cushion tilt

Press the switch up or down in the di-
rection of arrow3 until your upper legs
are lightly supported.
Backrest tilt

Press the switch forward or backward
in the direction of arrow4 until your
hands are slightly angled when holding
the steering wheel. Head restraint height

Pull up or push down on head restraint
until it is in desired position.
Head restraint tilt

Manually adjust the angle of the head
restraint. Push or pull on the lower
edge of the head restraint cushion.
More information can be found in the
“Controls in detail” section (
page 91).
Steering wheel
1Lever
iWith the front door open, the seats can
still be adjusted approx. 30 minutes af-
ter the ignition has been turned off.
Warning!
G
For your protection, drive only with properly
positioned head restraints.
Adjust head restraint to support the back of
the head approximately at ear level.
Do not drive the vehicle without the seat
head restraints. Head restraints are intend-
ed to help reduce injuries during an acci-
dent.
Warning!
G
Do not adjust the steering wheel while driv-
ing. The steering wheel must be locked
while driving. Adjusting the steering wheel
while driving, or driving without the steering
column locked could cause the driver to lose
control of the vehicle.