2005 MERCEDES-BENZ ML500 Owner's Manual

Operator’s Manual
M-Class

Order No. 6515 4237 13 Part No. 163 584 33 96 USA Edition A 2005
Ê0CtAÁ9Ë
1635843396

ML 350
ML 500

Our company and staff congratulate you
on the purchase of your new
Mercedes-Benz.
Your selection of our product is a demon-
stration of your trust in our company
name. Furthermore, it exemplifies your de-
sire to own an automobile that will be as
easy as possible to operate and provide
years of service.
Your Mercedes-Benz represents the ef-
forts of many skilled engineers and crafts-
men. To help assure your driving pleasure,
and also the safety of you and your passen-
gers, we ask you to make a small invest-
ment of time:


Please read this manual carefully,
then return it to your vehicle where it
will be handy for your reference.


Please follow the recommendations
contained in this manual. They are de-
signed to acquaint you with the opera-
tion of your Mercedes-Benz.


Please pay attention to the warnings
and cautions contained in this manual.
They are designed to help improve the
safety of the vehicle operator and oc-
cupants.
We extend our best wishes for many miles
of safe, pleasurable driving.
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC
A DaimlerChrysler Company

Contents
Introduction.......................................... 9
Product information ................................ 9
Operator’s Manual ............................... 10
Service and warranty information .. 10
Important notice for California
retail buyers and lessees of
Mercedes-Benz automobiles .......... 11
Maintenance .................................. 12
Roadside Assistance ...................... 12
Change of address or ownership.... 13
Operating your vehicle outside
the USA or Canada......................... 13
Where to find it .................................... 15
Symbols ............................................... 16
Operating safety .................................. 17
Proper use of the vehicle ............... 17
Problems with your vehicle .................. 18
Reporting safety defects...................... 19
Reporting safety defects ................ 19
Vehicle data recording......................... 20
Information regarding
electronic
recording devices........................... 20
At a glance.......................................... 21
Cockpit ................................................. 22
Instrument cluster ................................ 24
Center console ..................................... 27
Upper part ...................................... 27
Lower part ...................................... 28
Overhead control panel ........................ 29Getting started................................... 31
Unlocking ............................................. 32
Remote control with folding key ..... 32
Adjusting .............................................. 35
Seats............................................... 35
Steering wheel ................................ 40
Mirrors ............................................ 41
Driving .................................................. 43
Fastening the seat belts.................. 43
Starting the engine ......................... 47
Switching on headlamps ................. 50
Turn signals and high beam ............ 50
Windshield wipers ........................... 51
Rear window wiper / washer ........... 52
Problems while driving .................... 53Parking and locking .............................. 54
Parking brake ................................. 54
Switching off headlamps................. 55
Turning off engine ........................... 55
Locking ........................................... 56
Safety and Security........................... 57
Occupant safety ................................... 58
Airbags ........................................... 59
Seat belts ....................................... 64
Children in the vehicle .................... 67
Blocking of rear door
window operation ........................... 74
Panic alarm .......................................... 75
Activating........................................ 75
Deactivating.................................... 75
Driving safety systems ......................... 76
ABS ................................................. 76
BAS ................................................. 78
4-ETS .............................................. 79
EBP ................................................. 80
ESP ................................................. 80

ContentsAnti-theft systems................................ 83
Immobilizer..................................... 83
Anti-theft alarm system .................. 83
Tow-away alarm,
glass breakage sensor.................... 84Controls 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 ............................... 94Seats ................................................... 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 positions into memory ..... 106
Recalling positions
from memory ............................... 106
Storing exterior rear
view mirror parking position......... 106
Lighting.............................................. 107
Combination switch ..................... 107
Fog lamps .................................... 111
Hazard warning flasher ................ 113
Interior lighting............................. 114
Instrument cluster ............................. 117
Instrument cluster illumination .... 117
Coolant temperature gauge ......... 118
Display in the speedometer ......... 118
Resetting trip odometer ............... 119
Tachometer .................................. 119
Outside temperature indicator ..... 119
Setting the clock .......................... 119Automatic transmission ..................... 120
One-touch gearshifting ................ 121
Gear ranges ................................. 122
Gear selector lever position ......... 123
Driving tips................................... 124
Towing a trailer ............................ 125
Emergency operation
(Limp Home Mode) ...................... 126
Transmission control –
LOW RANGE mode ............................ 127
Switching on LOW RANGE mode.. 127
Switching off LOW RANGE mode . 127
Good visibility .................................... 128
Rear view mirrors ......................... 128
Electrically folding
exterior rear view mirrors............. 130
Windshield wipers ........................ 131
Headlamp cleaning system* ........ 133
Rear window wiper....................... 133
Sun visors .................................... 134
Rear window defroster ................. 135

Contents
Automatic climate control ................. 136
Automatic mode........................... 139
Adjusting air volume and
air distribution manually............... 139
Defrosting .................................... 140
Air recirculation mode.................. 140
Air conditioning ............................ 141
Residual heat and ventilation ....... 142
Rear passenger compartment
ventilation and rear
automatic climate control ............ 143
Front and rear air vents................ 144
Power windows.................................. 146
Opening and closing
the side windows ......................... 146
Synchronizing power windows ..... 148
Rear quarter windows* ................ 148
Power tilt / sliding sunroof* ............... 150
Opening and closing the
power tilt / sliding sunroof............ 150
Synchronizing the
power tilt / sliding sunroof............ 152Driving systems .................................. 153
Cruise control ............................... 153
Parktronic* system
(Parking assist) ............................. 156
Loading............................................... 160
Loading instructions ..................... 160
Partition net* ................................ 162
Cargo compartment cover blind* . 164
Cargo floor plates ......................... 165
Roof rack* .................................... 166
Useful features ................................... 167
Storage compartments ................. 167
Cup holders .................................. 169
Armrest in rear seat bench ........... 170
Ashtrays and cigarette lighter ....... 171
Electrical outlet ............................. 173
Telephone* ................................... 173
Tele Aid* ....................................... 174
Garage door opener ...................... 183
Trip computer* ............................. 189
Operation.......................................... 195
The first 1000 miles (1500 km) .......... 196
Driving instructions ............................ 197
Drive sensibly – save fuel ............. 197
Drinking and driving...................... 197
Pedals ........................................... 197
Power assistance .......................... 197
Brakes .......................................... 198
Driving off ..................................... 199
Parking ......................................... 200
Tires.............................................. 200
Hydroplaning ................................ 201
Tire traction .................................. 201
Tire speed rating ........................... 202
Winter driving instructions ............ 202
Standing water ............................. 204
Off-road driving ............................. 204
Trailer towing ................................ 211
Passenger compartment............... 215
Driving abroad .............................. 216
Control and operation
of radio transmitters ..................... 216
Catalytic converter ....................... 217
Emission control ........................... 217
Coolant temperature .................... 218

ContentsAt the gas station............................... 219
Refueling ...................................... 219
Check regularly and
before a long trip .......................... 221
Engine compartment.......................... 222
Hood ............................................ 222
Engine oil...................................... 223
Transmission fluid level ................ 227
Coolant level ................................ 227
Battery ......................................... 228
Windshield / rear
window washer system and
headlamp cleaning system*......... 230
Tires and wheels ................................ 231
Important guidelines .................... 231
Life of tire ..................................... 232
Direction of rotation ..................... 232
Checking tire inflation pressure ... 232
Rotating wheels............................ 233
Winter driving..................................... 235
Winter tires................................... 235
Block heater (Canada only) .......... 236
Snow chains ................................. 236Maintenance ...................................... 237
Clearing the
maintenance service indicator ..... 237
Maintenance service
term exceeded ............................. 238
Calling up the
maintenance service indicator ..... 238
Resetting the
maintenance service indicator ..... 238
Vehicle care ....................................... 240
Cleaning and care of the vehicle .. 240
Practical hints.................................. 247
What to do if … .................................. 248
Lamps in instrument cluster ........ 248
Additional indicators
in the speedometer display .......... 263
Where will I find ...? ........................... 264
First aid kit ................................... 264
Vehicle tool kit ............................. 264
Spare wheel (space-saver tire) ..... 266Unlocking / locking in
an emergency .................................... 268
Unlocking the vehicle................... 268
Locking the vehicle ...................... 269
Fuel filler flap ............................... 269
Manually unlocking the
transmission gear selector lever .. 270
Opening / closing in
an emergency .................................... 271
Power tilt / sliding sunroof* ......... 271
Replacing key batteries ..................... 272
Remote control ............................ 273
Replacing bulbs ................................. 274
Bulbs ............................................ 274
Replacing bulbs for front lamps ... 276
Replacing bulbs for rear lamps .... 279
Adjusting headlamp aim .............. 282
Replacing wiper blades ...................... 283
Removing ..................................... 283
Installing ...................................... 283
Flat tire .............................................. 284
Mounting the spare wheel ........... 284