2005 MERCEDES-BENZ ML500 warning light

292 Practical hintsJump startingThe battery is located on the passenger
side of the engine compartment.
Make sure the two vehicles do not
touch.

Turn off all electrical consumers.

Apply parking brake.

Shift gear selector lever to positionP.

Open the hood.1Positive terminal of charged battery
2Negative terminal of charged battery
3Negative terminal of discharged
battery
4Positive terminal of discharged battery

Connect positive terminals1 and4
of the batteries with the jumper cable.
Clamp cable to positive terminal1 of
charged battery first.

Start engine of the vehicle with the
charged battery and run at idle speed.

Connect negative terminals2 and3
of the batteries with the jumper cable.
Clamp cable to negative terminal2 of
charged battery first.

Start the engine of the disabled vehi-
cle.
Now you can turn on the electrical
consumers. Do not turn on the lights under
any circumstances.

Remove the jumper cables first from
the negative terminals3 and2 and
then from positive terminals4
and1.
You can now turn on the lights.

Have the battery checked at the
nearest authorized Mercedes-Benz
Light Truck Center.
Warning!
G
Keep flames or sparks away from battery.
Do not smoke.
Observe all safety instructions and precau-
tions when handling automotive batteries
(page 228).
!Never invert the terminal connections!
!Do not tow-start the vehicle.

297 Practical hintsFuses
Fuses
The electrical fuses in your vehicle serve to
stop the supply of electricity to a device
that is malfunctioning. This helps to
prevent damage to the other vehicle
electronics.
The following aids are available to help you
change fuses (
page 298):


Fuse chart


Spare fuses


Fuse extractorThe electrical fuses are located in different
fuse boxes:


Main fuse box in engine compartment
(page 298)


Fuse box in front passenger footwell
(page 299)
Warning!
G
Only use fuses approved for Mercedes-Benz
with the specified amperage for the system
in question. Otherwise, a short circuit could
result and cause a fire.!Only install fuses that have been tested
and approved by Mercedes-Benz and
that have the specified amperage
rating.
Otherwise, electrical parts or systems
could be damaged.
Never attempt to repair or bridge a
blown fuse. Have the cause determined
and remedied by an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center.

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.

331 Index
Automatic headlamp mode 108
Automatic interior lighting control
Activating 114
Deactivating 114
Automatic locking when driving 93
Automatic transmission
Accelerator position 124
Emergency operation
(Limp Home Mode) 126
Gear ranges 122
Gear selector lever position 123
Gear shifting malfunctions 126
Kickdown 124
Manual shifting 121
One-touch gearshifting 121
Selector lever position 120
Towing a trailer 125
Transmission fluid 227
B
BabySmart
TM
Airbag deactivation system 70
Compatible child seats 70, 323
Self-test 70
BabySmart
TM airbag
deactivation system 323Backrest tilt 36
Backup lamps 275, 279
Bulbs 275
BAS 78, 323
Malfunction indicator lamp 251, 252,
253
Warning lamp 251
Batteries, remote control
Replacing 273
Battery discharged
Jump starting 291
Battery indicator lamp
Indicator lamp 261
Battery, vehicle 228, 272
Charging 289
Disconnecting 289
Reconnecting 289
Reinstalling 289
Removing 289
Bi-Xenon headlamps* 323
Block heater (Canada only) 236
Blocking
Rear door window operation 74
Brake assist system (BAS) 323
Brake fluid 314
Brake lamp bulbs 275Brake pad wear
Indicator lamp 261
Brakes 198
Warning lamp 250
Break-in period 196
Bulbs, replacing 274
Additional turn signals 274
Backup lamps 275
Brake lamps 275
Fog lamps 274
Front fog lamp 279
Front lamps 274
High beam 274
High mounted brake lamp 281
License plate lamps 275, 281
Low beam 274
Parking, standing lamp 274
Rear fog lamps 279
Rear side marker lamp bulbs 279
Side marker lamps 274, 275
Standing lamps 274
Tail lamp assemblies 279
Turn signal lamps 274, 275
Turn signal, side marker lamp 274

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

342 IndexOpening and closing
Side windows 146
Operating
Garage door opener 188
Integrated remote control 188
Radio transmitters 216
Vehicle outside the USA or
Canada 13
Operating safety 17
Operator’s Manual 10
Ornamental moldings 242
Outside temperature indicator 119
Overdue service 238
Overhead control panel 29
P
Paintwork 241
Panic alarm 75
Panic button on remote control 75
Parking 200
Parking and locking 54
Parking brake 48, 54
Engaging 54
Releasing 48
Parking lamps
Switching on 107Parking, standing lamp
Replacing bulbs 274
Parktronic (Parking assist)* 326
Parktronic system*
Switching off 159
Switching on 159
Parktronic* 156
Cleaning system sensor 243
Range of the sensors 157
Sensor cover 243
Switching off 159
Switching on 159
Warning indicators 158
Partition net* 162
Engaging 162
Removing 164
Tightening 163
Parts see Parts service
Parts service 302
Passenger compartment 215
Interior lighting 114
Passenger footwell
Fuse box in 299
Passenger safety see Occupant safety
Pedals 197Plastic and rubber parts
Cleaning 245
Poly-V-belt drive 326
Layout 305
Positions (Memory function*)
Recalling from memory 106
Storing into memory 106
Power assistance 197
Power seat*
Adjusting backrest tilt 39
Adjusting head restraint height 39
Adjusting seat cushion tilt 39
Adjusting seat height 39
Seat fore and aft adjustment 38
Power tilt/sliding sunroof* 150
Closing 271
Opening 271
Power train 326
Power washer 241
Power windows
Blocking of rear door window
operation 74
Side windows 146
Synchronizing 148

350 IndexVehicle care
Cup holder 244
Engine cleaning 242
Gear selector lever 244
Hard plastic trim items 244
Headlamps 242
Instrument cluster 244
Leather upholstery 245
Light alloy wheels 244
MB Tex upholstery 245
Ornamental moldings 242
Paintwork 241
Parktronic* system sensor 243
Plastic and rubber parts 245
Power washer 241
Seat belts 244
Steering wheel 244
Tail lamps 242
Tar stains 241
Turn signals 242
Upholstery 245
Vehicle washing 242
Window cleaning 243
Wiper blades 243Vehicle identification number (VIN) 304
Vehicle jack 265
Vehicle lighting
Checking 221
Vehicle tool kit 264
Vehicle with CD-changer* 265
Vehicle washing 242
VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) 304,
327
Voice control system* 327
W
Warning indicators
Parktronic* 158
Warning sounds
Drivers seat belts 64
Parking brake 49
Warranty coverage 303
Washer fluid see Windshield washer fluid
Washing the vehicle 240
Wear pattern (tires) 233
Weights 311
Wheel bolt wrench 265Wheel change
Tightening torque 287
Wheels
Rotating 233
Window curtain airbags 64
Windows see Side windows
Windshield
Defogging 140
Refilling washer fluid 230
Replacing wiper blades 283
Washer fluid 230, 319
Washer system 319
Windshield washer fluid 319
Mixing ratio 319
Refilling 230
Wiping with 51
Windshield washer system 319

Service and Literature
Your authorized Mercedes-Benz Center has trained technicians and original Mercedes-Benz parts to service your vehicle properly. For
expert advice and quality service, see your authorized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center.
If you are interested in obtaining service literature for your vehicle, please contact your authorized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center.
We consider this the best way for you to obtain accurate information for your vehicle.
For further information you can find us on the Mercedes-Benz web-site www.mbusa.com or www.mercedes-benz.ca.
We reserve the right to modify the technical details of the vehicle as given in the data and illustrations of this Operator’s Manual.
Reprinting, translation and copying, even of excerpts, is not permitted without our prior authorization in writing.
Title illustration no. P00.01-2273-31
Press time 02 / 16 / 04
GSP / TIP
Printed in Germany
Warning!
G
To help avoid personal injury, be extremely careful when performing any service work or repairs. Improper or incomplete service or the use of
incorrect or inappropriate parts or materials may damage the vehicle or its equipment, which may in turn result in personal injury.
If you have questions about carrying out any type of service, turn to the advice of an authorized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center.