2004 MERCEDES-BENZ ML500 display

233 Operation
Maintenance
Service term exceeded
If you have exceeded the suggested ser-
vice term:

the9 or ½symbol appears in
the display2 for 30 seconds and a
signal sounds after switching on the
ignition.


it is preceded by a “–” (minus symbol).
The Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center will
reset the service indicator following a com-
pleted service.
Calling up the service indicator
Within one second press knob1
twice.
The FSS display will appear for
ten seconds.
Resetting the service indicator
In the event that the service on your vehi-
cle is not carried out by an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center, you
can reset the service indicator yourself.
Switch ignition on and immediately
press knob1 twice within
one second.
The present status for days or distance
is displayed.

Within ten seconds turn the key in
steering lock to position0 (
page 33).

Press and hold knob1 while switch-
ing the ignition on.
The present status for days or distance
is displayed once more.

Continue to hold knob1.
After approximately ten seconds a sig-
nal sounds, and the display shows
10 000 miles (Canada: 15 000 km) for
approximately ten seconds.

Release knob1.
iIf the service indicator was inadvertent-
ly reset, have a Mercedes-Benz Light
Truck Center correct it.
Only reset if the proper service has
been performed. Resetting the system
without performing the proper service
as called for by the FSS will cause the
FSS to incorrectly determine the next
service interval which will result in en-
gine damage not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
If the battery is disconnected, the days
of disconnection will not be included in
the count shown by the service indica-
tor. To arrive at the true service dead-
line, you will need to subtract these
days from the days shown in the ser-
vice indicator.
Do not confuse the service indicator
with the engine oil level indicator:.

250 Practical hintsWhat to do if …Warning!
G
Driving when your engine is badly overheat-
ed can cause some fluids which may have
leaked into the engine compartment to
catch fire. You could be seriously burned.
Steam from an overheated engine can cause
serious burns and can occur just by opening
the engine hood. Stay away from the engine
if you see or hear steam coming from it.
Turn off the engine, get out of the vehicle
and do not stand near the vehicle until the
engine has cooled down.Warning!
G
Do not spill antifreeze on hot engine parts.
Antifreeze contains ethylene glycol which
may burn if it comes into contact with hot
engine parts. You can be seriously burned.
!Do not ignore the coolant warning
lamps. Extended driving with the sym-
bol displayed may cause serious engine
damage not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
Do not drive without sufficient amount
of coolant. The engine will overheat,
causing major engine damage.

256 Practical hintsWhat to do if …Additional indicators in the speedome-ter displayDisplay
Possible cause
Suggested solution
9
Perform minor service (A) (
page 232).

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Light Truck Center to perform service.
´
Perform major service (B) (
page 232).

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Light Truck Center to perform service.
Á
î
The
StArt
message comes on in
addition to the
Error
message.
The immobilizer is not operational.

Contact an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center or
call 1-800-FOR-MERCedes (in the
USA), or 1-800-387-0100 (in Cana-
da).

312 Technical termsEngine oil viscosity
Measurement for the inner friction (vis-
cosity) of the oil at different tempera-
tures. The higher the temperature an
oil can tolerate without becoming thin,
or the lower the temperature it can tol-
erate without becoming viscous, the
better the viscosity.
ESP
(E
lectronic S
tability Pr
ogram)
Improves vehicle handling and direc-
tional stability.
ETD
(E
mergency T
ensioning D
evice)
Device which deploys in certain frontal
and rear collisions exceeding the sys-
tem's threshold to tighten the seat
belts.
->SRSFSS
(F
lexible S
ervice S
ystem)
Service indicator in the speedometer
display that informs the driver when
the next vehicle maintenance service is
due.
Gear range
Number of gears which are available to
the automatic transmission for shifting.
The automatic gear shifting process
can be adapted to specific operating
conditions using the gear selector
lever.
GPS
(G
lobal P
ositioning S
ystem)
Satellite-based system for relaying
geographic location information to and
from vehicles equipped with special re-
ceivers. Employs CD or DVD digital
maps for navigation.GAWR
(G
ross A
xle W
eight R
ating)
The GAWR is the maximum permissible
axle weight. The gross vehicle weight
on each axle must never exceed the
GAWR for the front and rear axle indi-
cated on the certification label located
on the driver’s door pillar.
GVW
(G
ross V
ehicle W
eight)
The GVW comprises the weight of the
vehicle including fuel, tools, spare
wheel, installed accessories, passen-
gers and cargo. The GVW must never
exceed the GVWR, indicated on the
certification label located on the driv-
er’s door pillar.

313 Technical terms
GVWR
(G
ross V
ehicle W
eight R
ating)
This is the maximum permissible vehi-
cle weight. It is indicated on certifica-
tion label located on the driver’s door
pillar.
Instrument cluster
The displays and indicator / warning
lamps in the driver’s field of vision, in-
cluding the tachometer, speedometer,
engine temperature and fuel gauge.
Kickdown
Depressing the accelerator past the
point of resistance shifts the transmis-
sion down to the lowest possible gear.
This very quickly accelerates the vehi-
cle and should not be used for normal
acceleration needs.Line of fall
The direct line that an object moves
downhill when influenced by the force
of gravity alone.
Lock button
Button on the door which indicates
whether the door is locked or un-
locked. Pushing the lock button down
on an individual door from inside will
lock that door.
MCS
(M
odular C
ontrol S
ystem)
Information and operating center for
vehicle sound and communications
systems, including the radio and the ra-
dio and navigation system, as well as
for other optional equipment (CD
changer, telephone, etc.).Memory function*
Used to store three individual seat,
steering wheel and mirror positions.
MON
(M
otor O
ctane N
umber)
The Motor Octane Number for gasoline
as determined by a standardized meth-
od. It is an indication of a gasoline's
ability to resist undesired detonation
(knocking). The average of both the
MON (Motor Octane Number) and
->RON (Research Octane Number) is
posted at the pump, also known as
ANTI-KNOCK INDEX.
Multifunction display
A display field in the instrument cluster
used to present information provided
by the control system.
Parktronic system* (Parking assist)
System which uses visual and acoustic
signals to assist the driver during park-
ing maneuvers.

322 IndexCoolant 222, 304
Adding 223
Anticorrosion/antifreeze
quantity 304
Checking level 222
Indicator lamp 249
Temperature 213
Temperature gauge 117
Coolant level
Checking 215, 222
Crossing obstacles 204
Cruise control 150, 311
Canceling 151
Driving downhill 151
Driving uphill 151
Fine adjustment 152
LOW RANGE mode 152
Saving current speed 151
Setting speeds 152
Cruise control lever 150Cup holder 166
Cleaning 238
In front seat armrest 167
In instrument panel 166
In rear centerconsole 167
Customer Assistance Center (CAC) 311
D
Daytime running lamp mode 109
Deactivating
Air conditioning (cooling) 139
Air recirculation mode 139
Alarm 84
Anti-theft alarm system 84
Automatic climate control 135, 137
Cruise control 151
Defrost 138
Engine 54
ESP 81
Front fog lamps, rear fog lamp 111
Hazard warning flasher 112
Headlamps 54
Immobilizer 83
Rear passenger compartment ventila-
tion and climate control 141
Rear window defroster 133Residual heat 140
Seat heater* 98
Tow-away alarm 85
Tow-away alarm (vehicles with trip
computer*) 85
Tow-away alarm (vehicles without trip
computer*) 86
Deactivating automatic central
locking 93
Deep water see Standing water 200
Defogging
Windshield 138
Defrosting 138
Difficulties
While driving see Problems while
driving 51
With starting 47
Direction of rotation (tires) 227
Discharged battery
Jump starting 281
Disconnecting
Vehicle battery 279
Display in the speedometer 117

323 Index
Display messages
Error 256
Service indicator (FSS) 256
StArt 256
Displays
Messages 219
Service indicator 232
Distance remaining 189
Door entry lamps 113
Door unlock
With Tele Aid* 179
Doors
Opening from inside vehicle 90
Opening from outside 89
Downhill driving
Cruise control 151
Downshifting 120
Drink holder see Cup holder 167
Drinking and driving 193Driving 42, 47
Abroad 211
In winter 198
Problems 51
Safety systems 76
Through standing water 200
Driving abroad 211
Driving instructions
Towing a trailer 209
Driving off 195
Driving safety systems
4-ETS 79
ABS 76
BAS 78
ESP 80
Driving systems 150
Cruise control 150
Driving safety systems 76
EBP 80
Parktronic* 153
Driving through water 203E
Easy entry/exit feature* 101
EBP 80
Indicator lamp 245
Economy mode
Automatic climate control 135
Electrical connections
Trailer 207
Electrical fuses 287
Electrical outlet 170
Electrical system
Technical data 297
Electrically folding exterior rear view
mirrors 128
Electronic Brake Proportioning see EBP
Electronic Stability Program see ESP 25,
80
Electronic stability program see ESP 312
Electronic Traction System see 4-ETS 25
Emergency call system
Requirements 172
Emergency call system* 172

324 IndexEmergency calls
Initiating an emergency call 175
With Tele Aid* 173
Emergency operation (Limp Home
Mode) 124
Emergency operations
Closing sliding/pop-up roof* 265
Locking the vehicle 262
Opening sliding/pop-up roof* 265
Remote door unlock 179
Unlocking the vehicle 261
Emergency tensioning device see
ETD 67, 312
Emission control 212
Emission control label 292
Engine
Starting 46
Technical data 294
Turning off 54
Engine cleaning 236Engine compartment
Fuse box in 287
Hood 217
Engine malfunction indicator lamp 25,
248
Engine number 311
Engine oil 218, 302
Adding 221
Additives 302
Checking level 218
Consumption 218
Messages in display 219
Oil dipstick 221
Viscosity 312
Enlarged cargo area 99
Error
Display messages 256ESP 25, 80, 312
LOW RANGE mode 81
Malfunction indicator lamp 245, 246,
247
Switching off 81
Switching on 82
Synchronizing 246
Warning lamp 245, 246, 247, 251
ETD 312
Safety guidelines 62
ETD (Emergency tensioning device) 67
Exterior mirrors
Folding 128
Exterior rear view mirrors 40
Adjusting 40
Folding electrically 128