2004 MERCEDES-BENZ ML500 light

311 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
lamp7 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 pas-
senger compartment needed for vehi-
cle 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.

319 Index
Rear passenger compartment 141
Rear window defroster 133
Residual heat utilization 140
Residual ventilation 140
Switching off 137
Switching on 137
Automatic headlamp mode 108
Automatic interior lighting control
Activating 113
Deactivating 113
Automatic locking when driving 93
Automatic transmission 119
Accelerator position 123
Emergency operation (Limp Home
Mode) 124
Gear ranges 121
Gear selector lever position 122
Gear shifting malfunctions 124
Kickdown 123
Manual shifting 120
One-touch gearshifting 120Selector lever position 119
Towing a trailer 124
Transmission fluid 222
B
BabySmart
TM
Airbag deactivation system 70
Compatible child seats 70, 311
Self-test 70
BabySmart
TM airbag deactivation
system 311
Backrest tilt 35
Backup lamps 267, 270
Bulbs 267
BAS 78, 311
Malfunction indicator lamp 245, 246,
247
Warning lamp 245, 246, 247
Batteries, remote control
Changing 262
Batteries, vehicle 223
Battery discharged
Jump starting 281Battery indicator lamp
Indicator lamp 254
Battery, vehicle 223, 278
Charging 279
Disconnecting 279
Reconnecting 279
Reinstalling 279
Removing 279
Bi-Xenon headlamps* 311
Blocking
Rear door window operation 73
Brake assist system (BAS) 311
Brake fluid 302
Brake lamp bulbs 267
Brake lamp, high mounted 267
Brake pad wear
Indicator lamp 254
Brakes 194
Warning lamp 244
Break-in period 192

320 IndexBulbs, replacing 266
Additional turn signals 266
Backup lamps 267
Brake lamps 267
Fog lamps 266
Front fog lamp 270
Front lamps 266
High beam 266
High mounted brake lamp 267, 271
License plate lamps 267, 271
Low beam 266
Parking lamps 266, 267, 269
Rear fog lamp 267
Rear fog lamps 270
Rear side marker lamp bulbs 270
Side marker lamps 266, 267, 269
Standing lamps 266, 267
Tail lamp assemblies 267, 270
Turn signal lamps 266, 267, 269C
CAC (Customer Assistance Center) 311
Calibrating compass 188
California
Important notice 11
Calling up
Service indicator 233
CAN system 311
Capacities
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc. 300
Cargo area cover blind* 161
Closing 161
Installing 162
Opening 161
Removing 161
Cargo area see Cargo compartment 89
Cargo compartment
Liftgate 89
Lighting 114
Tie-down rings 158Cargo floor plates 162
Installing 163
Removing 162
Storing 162
Cargo tie-down rings 158
Catalytic converter 212
CD-changer* 258
Center console 27
Lower part 28
Upper part 27
Central locking
Automatic 93
From inside 93
Switch 94
Unlocking from inside 93, 94
Central locking switch 94
Certification label 292
Charge indicator lamp 254
Charging
Vehicle battery 279

321 Index
Chart
Fuses 287
CHECK ENGINE malfunction indicator
lamp 248
Checking
Coolant level 215, 222
Oil level 218
Tire inflate pressure 216
Vehicle lighting 216
Checking weights
Trailer and vehicle 208
Checklist
Off-road driving 201
Returning from off-road driving 206
Child safety 67
Airbags 60
Infant and child restraint systems 64,
68
LATCH child seat mounts 72
Child safety switch see Blocking of rear
door window operation 73Cigarette lighter
Front center console 168
Cleaning
Cup holder 238
Gear selector lever 238
Hard plastic trim items 238
Headlamps 131
Headliner 238
Instrument cluster 238
Leather upholstery 239
Light alloy wheels 238
MB Tex upholstery 239
Plastic and rubber parts 239
Seat belts 238
Steering wheel 238
Windows 237
Windshield 50
Wiper blades 237
Clock 26, 118Closing
Glove box 164
Hood 218
Liftgate 92
Rear quarter windows* 147
Side windows 145
Sliding/pop-up roof* 148, 265
Closing sliding/pop-up roof*
In an emergency 265
Cockpit 22, 311
Combination switch
High beam flasher 49, 110
Turn signals 49
Windshield wipers 49
Compass 187
Calibrating 188
Setting compass zone 188
Compass zone 188
Consumer information 308
Control and operation of radio
transmitters 211

327 Index
I
Identification labels 292
Certification label 292
Vehicle identification number
(VIN) 292
Ignition 33
Immobilizer 83
Activating 54, 83
Deactivating 83
Indicator lamp
Adjustable steering column 253
Brake pad wear 254
Coolant 249
Front fog lamps 253
Low engine oil level 253
Indicators, additional
Speedometer display 256
Infant and child restraint systems 68
Installing 71
LATCH child seat mounts 72Information
About service and warranty 10
Button for Tele Aid* 177
Inside rear view mirror
Antiglare 126
Installing
Infant and child restraint systems 71
Wiper blades 273
Instrument cluster 24, 116, 313
Cleaning 238
Coolant temperature gauge 117
Display in the speedometer 117
Illumination 116
Lamps in 252
Outside temperature indicator 118
Instruments and controls see Cockpit 22
Integrated remote control
Erasing memory 185
Operating 185
Interior lighting 112Activating automatic control 113
Deactivating automatic control 113
Manual operation 113
Reading lamps 114
Interior storage spaces 164
Armrest 165
Cup holder 167
Glove box 164
Storage compartment in front of
armrest 165
Storage compartment under front pas-
senger seat* 164
Intermittent wiping 130
J
Jack 258
Jump starting 281

328 IndexK
Key
Global locking 89
Global unlocking 89
Loss of 90
Positions in steering lock 33
Remote control with folding key 88
Unlocking liftgate 89
Unlocking the driver’s door, fuel filler
flap 89
Key positions in steering lock 33
Key, Mechanical 261
Key, Remote control
Unlocking with 32
Kickdown 123, 313
L
Labels, identification 292
Lamp bulbs, exterior 266
Lamps, exterior
Front 266
Rear 267Lamps, indicator and warning
4-ETS 251, 252
ABS 242
Adjustable steering column 253
AIRBAG OFF 63, 243
BAS 78, 245, 246, 247
Battery indicator lamp 254
Brake pad wear 254
Brakes 244
CHECK ENGINE 248
Coolant 249
EBP 245
Engine diagnostics 248
ESP 245, 246, 247, 251
Front fog lamps 253
Fuel reserve 252
Low engine oil level 253
LOW RANGE 252
Low washer system fluid level 253
Seat belts 253
Service indicator 232
SRS 255
Turn signals 25LATCH child seat anchors 72
LATCH child seat mounts 72
Layout of poly-V-belt drive 293
Leather upholstery
Cleaning 239
Lever
For cruise control 150
License plate lamps
Replacing bulbs 267, 271
Liftgate
Closing 92
Opening 89, 91
Opening from inside 91
Opening from outside 91
Light alloy wheels
Cleaning 238
Lighter
Rear center console 169
Lighter see cigarette lighter 168

329 Index
Lighting 107
Automatic headlamp mode 108
Cargo compartment 114
Combination switch 110
Daytime running lamp mode 109
Door entry lamps 113
Front fog lamps 111
High beam flasher 110
High beams 110
Instrument cluster illumination 116
Interior 112
Locator lighting 110
Night security illumination 109
Limiting the gear range 121
Limp Home Mode 124
Line of fall 313
Loading 157
Cargo area cover blind* 161
Cargo floor plates 162
Cargo tie-down rings 158
Hooks 159
Instructions 157, 158
Partition net* 159
Roof rack 163Split rear bench seat 99
Trailer 208
Locator lighting 110
Lock button 313
Locking 88
Automatic while driving 93
Centrally from inside 94
Fuel filler flap 214
Global 89
Vehicle in an emergency 262
Locking knobs 32
Loss of keys 90
Loss of Service and Warranty Information
Booklet 291
Low beam headlamps
Replacing bulbs 266, 268
Switching on 48
Low engine oil level
Indicator lamp 253
LOW RANGE - 4-ETS 80
LOW RANGE - ABS 77LOW RANGE - ESP 81
LOW RANGE mode 125
Low washer system fluid level
Indicator lamp 253
Lowering
Vehicle 276
M
Main dimensions 298
Maintenance 12
Display messages 256
Manual operations
Fuel filler flap 263
Interior lighting control 113
Locking the vehicle 262
Sliding/pop-up roof* 265
Unlocking the driver’s door 261
Unlocking transmission selector
lever 264

332 IndexPartition net* 159
Engaging 159
Removing 161
Tightening 160
Parts see Spare parts service
Passenger compartment 211
Interior lighting 112
Passenger footwell
Fuse box in 288
Passenger safety see Occupant
safety 58
Pedals 193
Plastic and rubber parts
Cleaning 239
Poly-V-belt drive 314
Layout 293
Positions (Memory function*)
Recalling from memory 106
Storing into memory 106
Power assistance 193Power seat*
Adjusting backrest tilt 38
Adjusting head restraint height 38
Adjusting seat cushion tilt 38
Adjusting seat height 38
Seat fore and aft adjustment 37
Power seats* 37
Power train 314
Power washer 235
Power windows
Blocking of rear door window
operation 73
Side windows 144
Synchronizing 146
Practical hints
First aid kit 257
Fuses 287
Lamps in instrument cluster 242
Spare wheel 259
Towing the vehicle 283
Vehicle jack 258
Vehicle tool kit 257Premium unleaded gasoline 303
Problems
While driving 51
With vehicle 18
Product information 9
Programming or reprogramming the inte-
grated remote control 182
R
Radio transmitters, control and
operation 211
Rain sensor* 130, 131
Rapid seat heating
Switching off 99
Rapid seat heating*
Switching on 98
Reading lamp 29