2005 MERCEDES-BENZ ML350 ABS

281 Practical hints
Replacing bulbs
License plate lamp
1License plate lamp
2Screw
Loosen both screws2.

Remove license plate lamp1.

Replace the tubular bulb.

Reinstall license plate lamp1.

Retighten screws2.High mounted brake lamp
1Cover
2Tab

Press gently on both sides of cover1
in direction of arrows.

Fold it backwards and remove.

Press tab2 on the reflector and re-
move it.

Press gently onto the bulb and turn
counterclockwise out of the bulb sock-
et.

Press the new bulb gently into the bulb
socket and turn clockwise until it en-
gages.

Reinstall the reflector on the left side
first and let it engage on the right side.

Align cover1 with its tabs in the slots
and press gently onto cover1 until it
engages.iVehicles with an exterior spare-wheel
rack*:
You cannot replace the LEDs of the
high mounted brake light with an exte-
rior spare-wheel rack installed. Have
therefore the high mounted brake light
checked and, if necessary, the LEDs re-
placed by an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center.

314 Technical dataFuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.Engine oils
Engine oils are specifically tested for their
suitability in our engines and durability for
our service intervals. Therefore, only use
approved engine oils and oil filters re-
quired for vehicles with Maintenance Sys-
tem (U.S. vehicles) or FSS (Canada
vehicles). For a listing of approved engine
oils and oil filters, refer to the Factory Ap-
proved Service Products pamphlet, or con-
tact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Light
Truck Center.
Using engine oils and oil filters of specifica-
tion other than those expressly required
for the Maintenance System
(U.S. vehicles) or FSS (Canada vehicles), or
changing of oil and oil filter at change inter-
vals longer than those called for by the
Maintenance System (U.S. vehicles) or
FSS (Canada vehicles) will result in engine
damage not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.Please follow Maintenance System
(U.S. vehicles) or FSS (Canada vehicles)
recommendations for schedulded oil
changes. Failure to do so could result in
engine damage not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
Engine oil additives
Do not blend oil additives with engine oil.
They may damage the engine.
Damage or malfunctions resulting from
blending oil additives are not covered by
the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.Air conditioning refrigerant
R-134a (HFC) refrigerant and special PAG
lubricating oil are used in the air condition-
ing system.
Never use R-12 (CFC) or mineral-based lu-
bricating oil. Otherwise damage to the
system will occur.
Brake fluid
During vehicle operation, the boiling point
of the brake fluid is continuously reduced
through the absorption of moisture from
the atmosphere. Under extremely strenu-
ous operating conditions, this moisture
content can lead to the formation of bub-
bles in the system, thus reducing the
system’s efficiency.
Therefore, the brake fluid must be
replaced every two years, preferably in the
spring.
Only brake fluid approved by
Mercedes-Benz is recommended. Your
authorized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck
Center will provide you with additional in-
formation.

323 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 an 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
intense light than filament headlamps.
Bi-Xenon headlamps produce low
beam and high beam.
CAC
(C
ustomer A
ssistance C
enter)
Mercedes-Benz customer service
center, which can help you with any
questions about your vehicle and
provide assistance in the event of a
breakdown.CAN system
(C
ontroller A
rea N
etwork)
Data bus network serving to control
vehicle functions such as door locking
or windshield wiping.
Cockpit
All instruments, switches, buttons and
indicator / warning lamps in the
passenger compartment needed for
vehicle operation and monitoring.
Cruise control
Driving convenience system for
automatically 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
produced.

329 Index
A
ABS 25, 76, 323
ABS control 76
LOW RANGE mode 77
Malfunction indicator lamp 248
Warning lamp 248
Accelerator position,
automatic transmission 124
Accident
In case of 53
Activating
Air circulation mode 141
Air recirculation mode 141
Anti-theft alarm system 83
Automatic climate control 137
ESP 82
Exterior headlamps 50
Hazard warning flasher 113
Headlamps 50
Ignition 33
Immobilizer 55, 83Rear passenger compartment
ventilation and climate control 143
Rear window defroster 135
Rear window wiper 52
Residual heat 142
Seat heater* 98
Tow-away alarm 85
Warning indicators (Parktronic*) 158
Windshield wipers 51
Activating automatic central locking 94
Adding
Coolant 228
Engine oil 226
Additional turn signals 274
Adjustable steering column
Indicator lamp 260
Adjusting 35
Backrest tilt 37, 39
Exterior rear view mirror 41
Head restraint height 37, 39
Head restraint tilt 38, 40Headlamp aim 282
Instrument cluster illumination 117
Interior rear view mirror 41
Manual seat 36
Mirrors 41
Seat cushion tilt 39
Seat fore and aft 36
Seat fore and aft adjustment 38
Seat height 37, 39
Seats 35
Steering wheel 40
Adjusting air distribution
Automatic climate control 139
Adjusting air volume
Automatic climate control 139
Air conditioning
Cooling 141
Air conditioning refrigerant 314
Air pressure see Tire inflation pressure

330 IndexAir recirculation mode 140
Activating 141
Deactivating 141
Air vents
Automatic climate control 144
AIRBAG OFF
Warning lamp 249
Airbags 59
BabySmart
TM airbag deactivation
system 323
BabySmartTM deactivation
system 70
Children 60
Front 63
Passenger 63
Safety guidelines 62
Side impact 64
Window curtain 64
Alarm
Audible 75, 84, 86
Canceling 84, 86
Visual 83
Alarm system
Anti-theft 83Anticorrosion/antifreeze 318
Antiglare
Automatic 128
Antilock brake system (ABS) 323
Anti-theft alarm system
Arming 83
Canceling alarm 84, 86
Disarming 84
Anti-theft systems
Anti-theft alarm system 83
Immobilizer 83
Tow-away alarm,
glass breakage sensor 84
Aquaplaning see Hydroplaning
Armrest
Storage compartment in front of 168
Storage compartments 168
Armrest in rear seat bench 170
Ashtray
Front center console 171
ATF (automatic transmission fluid) 227Attaching a trailer 213
Automatic antiglare for
rear view mirror 128
Automatic central locking
Activating 94
Deactivating 94
Automatic climate control 136
Adjusting air distribution 139
Adjusting air volume 139
Air conditioning 141
Air vents 144
Basic setting 139
Changing basic setting 139
Defrosting 140
Economy mode 137
Rear passenger compartment 143
Rear window defroster 135
Residual heat utilization 142
Residual ventilation 142
Switching off 139
Switching on 139

335 Index
Driving abroad 216
Driving instructions
Towing a trailer 214
Driving off 199
Driving safety systems
4-ETS 79
ABS 76
BAS 78
ESP 80
Driving systems 153
Cruise control 153
Driving safety systems 76
EBP 80
Parktronic* 156
Driving through water 208
Driving tips 124
Accelerator position 124
Kickdown 124
E
Easy entry/exit feature* 101
EBP 80
Indicator lamp 251Economy mode
Automatic climate control 137
Electrical connections
Trailer 212
Electrical fuses 297
Electrical outlet 173
Electrical system
Technical data 309
Electrically folding exterior
rear view mirrors 130
Electronic Brake Proportioning see EBP
Electronic Stability Program see ESP
Electronic stability program see ESP
Electronic Traction System see 4-ETS
Emergency call system
Requirements 175
Emergency call system* 175
Emergency calls
Initiating an emergency call 178
With Tele Aid* 176
Emergency operation
(Limp Home Mode) 126Emergency operations
Closing tilt/sliding sunroof* 271
Locking the vehicle 269
Opening tilt/sliding sunroof* 271
Remote door unlock 182
Unlocking the vehicle 268
Emergency tensioning device see ETD
Emission control 217
Emission control label 304
Engine
Starting 47
Technical data 306
Turning off 55
Engine cleaning 242
Engine compartment
Hood 222
Main fuse box 298
Engine malfunction indicator lamp 254
Engine malfunction indicator lamp
(Canada only) 25
Engine malfunction indicator lamp
(USA only) 25
Engine number 323

339 Index
Intermittent wiping 132
J
Jack 265
Jump starting 291
K
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, Mechanical 268
Key, Remote control
Unlocking with 32
Kickdown 124, 325
L
Labels, identification 304
Lamp bulbs, exterior 274
Lamps, exterior
Front 274
Rear 275Lamps, indicator and warning
4-ETS 258, 259
ABS 248
Adjustable steering column 260
AIRBAG OFF 63, 249
BAS 78, 251, 252
Battery indicator lamp 261
Brake pad wear 261
Brakes 250
CHECK ENGINE 254, 255
CHECK Engine malfunction indicator
lamp 255
Coolant 256
EBP 251
Engine diagnostics 254, 255
ESP 251, 252, 258
Front fog lamps 260
Fuel reserve 259
Low engine oil level 260
LOW RANGE 259
Low washer system fluid level 260
Seat belts 260
Service indicator 237
SRS 262
Turn signals 25LATCH child seat anchors 73
LATCH child seat mounts 73
Layout of poly-V-belt drive 305
Leather upholstery
Cleaning 245
Lever
For cruise control 153
License plate lamps
Replacing bulbs 275, 281
Liftgate
Closing 92
Opening 89, 91
Opening from inside 91
Opening from outside 91
Light alloy wheels
Cleaning 244
Lighter see cigarette lighter

340 IndexLighting 107
Automatic headlamp mode 108
Cargo compartment 116
Daytime running lamp mode 109
Fog lamps 111
Front fog lamps 112
High beam 111
High beam flasher 111
Instrument cluster illumination 117
Interior 114
Locator lighting 111
Night security illumination 109
Limiting the gear range 122
Limp Home Mode 126
Line of fall 325
Loading 160
Cargo compartment cover
blind* 164
Cargo floor plates 165
Cargo tie-down rings 161
Hooks 162
Instructions 160
Partition net* 162
Roof rack 166
Split rear bench seat 100
Trailer 212Locator lighting 111
Lock button 325
Locking 88
Automatic while driving 93
Centrally from inside 94
Fuel filler flap 219
Global 89
Vehicle in an emergency 269
Locking knobs 32
Loss of keys 90
Loss of Service and Warranty Information
Booklet 303
Low beam bulbs
Replacing bulbs 276
Low beam headlamps
Replacing bulbs 274
Switching on 50
Low engine oil level
Indicator lamp 260
LOW RANGE - 4-ETS 80
LOW RANGE - ABS 77
LOW RANGE - ESP 81
LOW RANGE mode 127
Low washer system fluid level
Indicator lamp 260Lowering
Vehicle 287
M
Main dimensions 310
Main fuse box 298
Maintenance 12
Display messages 263
Maintenance System (U.S. vehicles) 327
Manual operations
Fuel filler flap 269
Interior lighting control 115
Locking the vehicle 269
Power tilt/sliding sunroof* 271
Unlocking the driver’s door 268
Unlocking transmission selector
lever 270
Manual seat
Adjusting 36
Adjusting backrest tilt 37
Adjusting head restraint height 37
Adjusting head restraint tilt 38, 40
Seat fore and aft adjustment 36
Seat height 37
MB Tex upholstery
Cleaning 245