2004 MERCEDES-BENZ ML500 warning light

ContentsSafety and Security........................... 57
Occupant safety................................... 58
Airbags ........................................... 59
Seat belts ....................................... 64
Children in the vehicle .................... 67
Blocking of rear door
window operation ........................... 73
Panic alarm .......................................... 75
Activating ....................................... 75
Deactivating ................................... 75
Driving and safety systems .................. 76
ABS ................................................ 76
BAS ................................................ 78
4-ETS .............................................. 79
EBP................................................. 80
ESP ................................................. 80
Anti-theft systems................................ 83
Immobilizer..................................... 83
Anti-theft alarm .............................. 83
Tow-away alarm,
glass breakage sensor.................... 84
Controls in detail............................... 87
Locking and unlocking ......................... 88
Remote control with folding key..... 88
Opening the doors
from the inside ............................... 90
Opening the liftgate ....................... 91
Closing the liftgate ......................... 92
Automatic central locking .............. 93
Locking and unlocking
from the inside ............................... 94
Seats ................................................... 95
Removing and installing
front seat head restraints............... 95
Rear seat head restraints ............... 96
Heated seats* ................................ 98
Rear seats ...................................... 99
Third row seats* .......................... 102
Memory function* ............................. 105
Storing exterior rear view mirror
parking position ........................... 105
Storing positions in memory ........ 106
Recalling positions from memory . 106Lighting ............................................. 107
Combination switch ..................... 107
Fog lamps .................................... 111
Hazard warning flasher ................ 112
Interior lighting ............................ 112
Instrument cluster ............................. 116
Instrument cluster illumination .... 116
Coolant temperature gauge ......... 117
Display in the speedometer ......... 117
Resetting trip odometer ............... 118
Tachometer .................................. 118
Outside temperature indicator ..... 118
Setting the clock .......................... 118
Automatic transmission ..................... 119
One-touch gearshifting ................ 120
Gear ranges ................................. 121
Gear selector lever position ......... 122
Accelerator position ..................... 123
Towing a trailer ............................ 124
Emergency operation
(Limp Home Mode) ...................... 124

10 IntroductionOperator’s Manual
Operator’s ManualThis Operator’s Manual contains a great
deal of useful information. We urge you to
read it carefully and familiarize yourself
with the vehicle before driving.
For your own safety and longer service life
of the vehicle, we urge you to follow the in-
structions and warnings contained in this
manual. Ignoring them could result in dam-
age to the vehicle or personal injury to you
or others. Vehicle damage caused by fail-
ure to follow instructions is not covered by
the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
Your vehicle may have some or all of the
equipment described in this manual.
Therefore, you may find explanations for
optional equipment not installed in your
vehicle. If you have any questions about
the operation of any equipment, your au-
thorized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Cen-
ter will be glad to demonstrate the proper
procedures.We continuously strive to improve our
product, and ask for your understanding
that we reserve the right to make changes
in design and equipment. Therefore, infor-
mation, illustrations and descriptions in
this Operator’s Manual might differ from
your vehicle.
Optional equipment is also described in
this manual, including operating instruc-
tions wherever necessary. Since they are
special-order items, the descriptions and
illustrations herein may vary slightly from
the actual equipment of your vehicle.
If there are any equipment details that are
not shown or described in this Operator’s
Manual, your authorized Mercedes-Benz
Light Truck Center will be glad to inform
you of correct care and operating proce-
dures.
The Operator’s Manual and Service Book-
let are important documents and should be
kept with the vehicle.
Service and warranty information
The Service and Warranty Information
Booklet contains detailed information
about the warranties covering your
Mercedes-Benz, including:

New Light Truck Limited Warranty,


Emission System Warranty,


Emission Performance Warranty,


California, Maine, Massachusetts, and
Vermont Emission Control System
Warranty
(California, Maine, Massachusetts, and
Vermont only),


State Warranty Enforcement Laws
(Lemon Laws).

16 IntroductionSymbols
SymbolsThe following symbols are found in this
Operator’s Manual:
* Optional equipment is identified
with an asterisk. Since standard
equipment varies between models,
the descriptions and illustrations in
this manual may differ slightly from
the actual equipment of your vehi-
cle.

This symbol points to instructions for
you to follow.

A number of these symbols appearing
in succession indicates a multiple-step
procedure.
 Page This symbol tells you where to
look for further information on a
topic.
This continuation symbol marks
an interrupted procedure which
will be continued on the next
page.
-> In the glossary of technical
terms, this symbol is used to in-
dicate cross-references to term
definitions.
Display
Words appearing in the multi-
function display are printed in
the type shown here.
Warning!
G
Warning notices draw your attention to haz-
ards that may endanger your health or life,
or the health or life of others.!Highlights hazards that may result in
damage to your vehicle.iHelpful hints or further information you
may find useful.

17 Introduction
Operating safety
Operating safety
Proper use of the vehicle
Proper use of the vehicle requires that you
are familiar with the following information
and rules:

the safety precautions in this manual


the “Technical data” section in this
manual


traffic rules and regulations


motor vehicle laws and safety stan-
dards
Warning!
G
Work improperly carried out on electronic
components and associated software could
cause them to cease functioning. Because
the vehicle’s electronic components are in-
terconnected, any modifications made may
produce an undesired effect on other sys-
tems. Electronic malfunctions could
seriously impair the operating safety of your
vehicle.
See your authorized Mercedes-Benz Light
Truck Center for repairs or modifications to
electronic components.
Other improper work or modifications on the
vehicle could also have a negative impact on
the operating safety of the vehicle.
Some safety systems only function while the
engine is running. You should therefore nev-
er turn off the engine while driving.
Warning!
G
Heavy blows against the vehicle underbody
or tires / wheels, for example when running
over an obstacle, road debris or a pothole,
may cause serious damage and impair the
o per at i ng s a fet y of yo ur veh ic l e. I f y ou f ee l a
sudden significant vibration or ride distur-
bance, or you suspect that damage to your
vehicle has occurred, you should turn on
your hazard warning flashers, carefully slow
down, and drive with caution to an area
which is a safe distance from the road.
Inspect the vehicle underbody and
tires / wheels for possible damage. If the ve-
hicle appears unsafe, have it towed to the
nearest authorized Mercedes-Benz Light
Truck Center or other qualified maintenance
or repair facility for further inspection or re-
pairs.
Warning!
G
Various warning labels are attached to your
vehicle. These warning labels are intended
to make you and others aware of various
risks. You should not remove any of these
warning labels unless explicitly instructed to
do so by information on the label itself. Re-
moval of any of these labels may cause you
and others to be unaware of certain risks
which may result in an accident and / or per-
sonal injury.

23 At a glance
Cockpit
Item
Page
1
Hood lock release
217
2
Parking brake pedal
53
3
Parking brake release
53
4
Left cup holder
166
5
Combination switch

Exterior lights


High beam


Turn signals
49
6
Cruise control lever
150
7
Instrument cluster
116
8
Hazard warning flasher
switch
112
9
Lever for voice control
system*, see separate
operating instructions
Item
Page
a
Windshield wiper / washer
switch
49
b
Front Parktronic* warning
indicator
155
c
Glove box
164
d
Right cup holder
166
e
Storage compartment
f
Electrical outlet
170
g
Horn
h
Headlamp washer button*
131
j
Steering lock with ignition
33
k
Steering wheel lever
39

33 Getting started
Unlocking
Steering lock positions
0For removing key
The steering is locked when the key is
removed from the steering lock. If
necessary, move steering wheel
slightly to allow the locking mechanism
to engage.
1Unlocking steering
Power supply to some electrical con-
sumers, such as seat adjustment.
2Ignition (power supply for all electrical
consumers) and driving position
3Starting position
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.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.
The key can only be removed from the
steering lock with the gear selector le-
ver in positionP.
!To prevent accelerated battery dis-
charge and a possible dead battery, al-
ways remove the key from the steering
lock when the engine is not in opera-
tion.

36 Getting startedAdjustingSeat backrest tilt
Turn handwheel2 forward or back-
ward until your hands are slightly ang-
led when holding the steering wheel.
Seat height

Lift handle3.

Use your body weight to push the seat
downwards.

Lift your weight off the seat to obtain a
higher seat position.

Release lever3.Head restraint height
1Release button
Raising:

Manually adjust the height of the head
restraint by pulling it upward.
Lowering:

To lower the head restraint, push
release button1 and press down on
the head restraint.
Warning!
G
For your protection, drive only with properly
positioned head restraints.
Adjust head restraint so that the head re-
straint supports the back of the head at eye
level. This will reduce the potential for injury
to the head and neck in the event of an ac-
cident or similar situation.
Do not drive the vehicle without the seat
head restraints. Head restraints are intend-
ed to help reduce injuries during an acci-
dent.

38 Getting startedAdjustingSeat cushion tilt
Press the switch up or down in the di-
rection of arrow3 until your upper
legs are lightly supported.
Seat backrest tilt

Press the switch forward or backward
in the direction of arrow1 until your
arms are slightly angled when holding
the steering wheel.
Seat height

Press the switch up or down in the di-
rection of arrow4.Head restraint height
1Release button
Raising:

Manually adjust the height of the head
restraint by pulling it upward.
Lowering:

To lower the head restraint, push
release button1 and press down on
the head restraint.
Warning!
G
For your protection, drive only with properly
positioned head restraints.
Adjust head restraint so that the head re-
straint supports the back of the head at eye
level. This will reduce the potential for injury
to the head and neck in the event of an ac-
cident or similar situation.
Do not drive the vehicle without the seat
head restraints. Head restraints are intend-
ed to help reduce injuries during an acci-
dent.