2003 Mercedes-benz M Class Owners Manual

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ML 320 ML 350 ML 500 ML 55 AMG 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. Further, it exemplifies your desire 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: 앫 Please read this manual carefully be- fore putting it aside. Then return it to your vehicle where it will be handy for your reference. 앫 Please follow the recommendations contained in this manual. They are de- signed to acquaint you with the opera- tion of your Mercedes-Benz. 앫 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.... 12 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 At a glance .......................................... 21 Cockpit................................................. 22 Instrument cluster ................................ 24 Center console ..................................... 27 Upper part ...................................... 27 Lower part ...................................... 28 Overhead control panel ........................ 29 Getting started ................................... 31 Unlocking ............................................. 32 Remote control with folding key ..... 32 Adjusting .............................................. 34 Seats............................................... 34 Steering wheel ................................ 37 Mirrors............................................ 38 Driving .................................................. 40 Fastening the seat belts.................. 40 Starting the engine ......................... 44 Switching on headlamps ................. 46 Turn signals..................................... 47 Windshield wipers........................... 47 Rear window wiper.......................... 48 Problems while driving.................... 49 Parking and locking.............................. 50 Parking brake ................................. 50 Switching off headlamps................. 51 Turning off engine........................... 51 Safety and Security ........................... 53 Occupant safety ................................... 54 Airbags ........................................... 55 Seat belts ....................................... 60 Children in the vehicle .................... 63 Blocking of rear door window operation ........................... 69 Panic alarm .......................................... 70 Activating........................................ 70 Deactivating.................................... 70 Driving and safety systems .................. 71 ABS................................................. 71 BAS................................................. 73 4-ETS .............................................. 73 EBP ................................................. 74 ESP ................................................. 75 Anti-theft systems ................................ 78 Immobilizer ..................................... 78 Anti-theft alarm............................... 78 Contents Tow-away alarm, glass breakage sensor.................... 79 Controls in detail ............................... 83 Locking and unlocking ......................... 84 Remote control with folding key..... 84 Opening the doors from the inside ............................... 86 Opening the liftgate........................ 87 Closing the liftgate ......................... 88 Automatic central locking .............. 89 Locking and unlocking from the inside ............................... 90 Seats.................................................... 91 Seat heater*................................... 91 Removing and installing head restraints ............................... 92 Rear seats ...................................... 93 Third row seats*............................. 96 Memory function*................................ 99 Storing positions in memory ........ 100 Recalling positions from memory . 100 Exterior rear view mirror parking position (passenger side) ............. 100 Lighting.............................................. 102 Combination switch ..................... 102 Fog lamps .................................... 105 Hazard warning flasher ................ 106 Interior lighting............................. 107 Instrument cluster ............................. 110 Instrument cluster illumination .... 110 Coolant temperature gauge ......... 111 Display in the speedometer ......... 111 Resetting trip odometer ............... 112 Tachometer.................................. 112 Outside temperature indicator ..... 112 Setting the clock .......................... 112 Automatic transmission..................... 113 One-touch gearshifting................. 113 Gear ranges.................................. 114 Gear selector lever position ......... 115 Accelerator position..................... 117 Towing a trailer ............................ 117 Emergency operation (Limp Home Mode)........................................... 117 Transmission control – LOW RANGE mode............................. 118 Switching on LOW RANGE mode.. 118 Switching off LOW RANGE mode . 118 Good visibility .................................... 119 Rear view mirror .......................... 119 Headlamp cleaning system* ........ 121 Windshield wipers ........................ 122 Rear window wiper....................... 123 Sun visor...................................... 123 Automatic climate control ................. 124 Automatic mode .......................... 126 Adjusting air volume and air distribution manually ................... 127 Defrosting .................................... 128 Air recirculation mode.................. 128 Air conditioning............................ 129 Residual heat and ventilation....... 130 Rear window defroster................. 131 Rear passenger compartment ventilation and rear automatic climate control............................. 131 Front and rear air outlets ............. 132 Power windows.................................. 134 Opening and closing the side windows....................................... 134 Rear quarter windows* ................ 136 Sliding/pop-up roof*......................... 137 Opening and closing the sliding/pop-up roof...................... 137 Contents Loading.............................................. 139 Loading instructions..................... 139 Partition net* ............................... 141 Cargo area cover blind* ............... 143 Cargo floor plates ........................ 144 Roof rack*.................................... 145 Driving systems ................................. 146 Cruise control .............................. 146 Parktronic system* (Parking assist) ............................ 149 Useful features .................................. 152 Interior storage spaces ................ 152 Cup holders.................................. 154 Armrest in rear seat bench .......... 155 Ashtrays and cigarette lighter ...... 156 Electrical outlet ............................ 158 Telephone* .................................. 158 Tele Aid* ...................................... 159 Garage door opener ..................... 168 Trip computer*............................. 172 Operation ......................................... 177 The first 1000 miles (1500 km) ......... 178 Driving instructions............................ 179 Drive sensibly – save fuel............. 179 Drinking and driving...................... 179 Pedals ........................................... 179 Power assistance.......................... 179 Brakes........................................... 180 Driving off ..................................... 181 Parking.......................................... 182 Tires.............................................. 182 Hydroplaning................................. 183 Tire traction .................................. 183 Tire speed rating........................... 184 Winter driving instructions ............ 184 Standing water.............................. 185 Off-road driving............................. 186 Trailer towing ................................ 192 Passenger compartment............... 196 Driving abroad .............................. 197 Control and operation of radio transmitters .................................. 197 Catalytic converter........................ 198 Emission control ........................... 198 Coolant temperature..................... 199 At the gas station ............................... 200 Check regularly and before a long trip .......................... 201 Engine compartment .......................... 202 Hood............................................. 202 Engine oil ...................................... 203 Transmission fluid level ................ 206 Coolant ......................................... 206 Battery.......................................... 207 Windshield washer system and headlamp cleaning system ........... 208 Tires and wheels ................................ 209 Important guidelines..................... 209 Life of tire ..................................... 210 Direction of rotation ..................... 210 Checking tire inflation pressure.... 211 Rotating wheels ............................ 212 Winter driving ..................................... 213 Winter tires ................................... 213 Block heater (Canada only)........... 214 Snow chains ................................. 214 Maintenance ...................................... 215 Clearing the service indicator ....... 215 Service term exceeded ................. 215 Calling up the service indicator .... 216 Resetting the service indicator ..... 216 Vehicle care ....................................... 217 Cleaning and care of the vehicle ................................ 217 Contents Practical hints.................................. 223 What to do if … .................................. 224 Lamps in instrument cluster......... 224 Additional indicators in the speedometer display .................... 235 Where will I find ...?............................ 236 First aid kit ................................... 236 Vehicle tool kit ............................. 237 Electric air pump (ML 55 AMG) .... 238 Spare wheel (space-saver tire) ..... 239 Unlocking/locking in an emergency .. 242 Unlocking the vehicle ................... 242 Locking the vehicle ...................... 243 Changing batteries ....................... 243 Fuel filler flap ............................... 244 Manually unlocking the transmission selector lever .......... 245 Opening/closing in an emergency..... 246 Sliding/pop-up roof*.................... 246 Replacing bulbs ................................. 247 Bulbs ............................................ 247 Replacing bulbs for front lamps.... 249 Replacing bulbs for rear lamps..... 251 Adjusting headlamp aim............... 253 Replacing wiper blades...................... 254 Removal ....................................... 254 Installation ................................... 254 Flat tire .............................................. 255 Mounting the spare wheel............ 255 Battery............................................... 261 Disconnecting the battery............ 261 Removing the batteries ................ 262 Charging and reinstalling batteries....................................... 262 Reconnecting the batteries .......... 262 Jump starting ..................................... 264 Towing the vehicle ............................. 267 Front towing eye .......................... 269 Rear towing eye ........................... 269 Stranded vehicle .......................... 270 Fuses ................................................. 271 Fuse box in engine compartment ............................... 271 Auxiliary fuse box in front passenger footwell....................... 272 Technical data ................................. 273 Spare parts service............................ 274 Warranty coverage ............................ 275 Loss of Service and Warranty Information Booklet ..................... 275 Identification labels ........................... 276 Layout of poly-V-belt drive................. 277 Engine ............................................... 278 Rims and tires ................................... 279 Rims and tires.............................. 279 Rims and winter tires* ................. 280 Spare wheel ................................. 280 Electrical system ............................... 281 Main Dimensions............................... 282 Weights ............................................. 283 Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc........... 284 Capacities .................................... 284 Engine oils ................................... 286 Engine oil additives ...................... 286 Air conditioning refrigerant .......... 286 Brake fluid.................................... 286 Premium unleaded gasoline ......... 286 Fuel requirements........................ 287 Gasoline additives........................ 287 Coolants ...................................... 287 Contents Anticorrosion/antifreeze.............. 288 Windshield and headlamp washer system............................. 290 Windshield and headlamp washer fluid mixing ratio.............. 290 Consumer information....................... 291 Uniform tire quality grading ......... 291 Temperature ................................ 292 Technical terms................................ 293 Index.................................................. 299 Contents Introduction Product information Product information Please observe the following in your own best interest: We recommend using Mercedes-Benz orig- inal parts as well as conversion parts and accessories explicitly approved by us for your vehicle model. We have tested these parts to determine their reliability, safety and their special suitability for Mercedes-Benz vehicles. We are unable to make an assessment for other products and therefore cannot be held responsible for them, even if in indi- vidual cases an official approval or authori- zation by governmental or other agencies should exist. Use of such parts and acces- sories could adversely affect the safety, performance or reliability of your vehicle. Please do not use them. Mercedes-Benz original parts as well as conversion parts and accessories ap- proved by us are available at your autho- rized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center where you will receive comprehensive in- formation, also on permissible technical modifications, and where proper installa- tion will be performed. Introduction Operator’s Manual Operator’s Manual This Operator’s Manual contains a great deal of useful information. We urge you to read it carefully and familiarize yourself with the vehicle before driving. For your own safety and longer service life of the vehicle, we urge you to follow the in- structions and warnings contained in this manual. Ignoring them could result in dam- age to the vehicle or personal injury to you or others. Vehicle damage caused by fail- ure to follow instructions is not covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty. Your vehicle may have some or all of the equipment described in this manual. Therefore, you may find explanations for optional equipment not installed in your vehicle. If you have any questions about the operation of any equipment, your au- thorized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Cen- ter will be glad to demonstrate the proper procedures. 10 Service and warranty information The Service and Warranty Information Booklet contains detailed information about the warranties covering your Mercedes-Benz, including: 앫 New Light Truck Limited Warranty, 앫 Emission System Warranty, 앫 Emission Performance Warranty, 앫 California, Maine, Massachusetts, and Vermont Emission Control System Warranty (California, Maine, Massachusetts, and Vermont only), 앫 State Warranty Enforcement Laws (Lemon Laws). We continuously strive to improve our product, and ask for your understanding that we reserve the right to make changes in design and equipment. Therefore, infor- mation, illustrations and descriptions in this Operator’s Manual might differ from your vehicle. Optional equipment is also described in this manual, including operating instruc- tions wherever necessary. Since they are special-order items, the descriptions and illustrations herein may vary slightly from the actual equipment of your vehicle. If there are any equipment details that are not shown or described in this Operator’s Manual, your authorized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center will be glad to inform you of correct care and operating proce- dures. The Operator’s Manual and Service Book- let are important documents and should be kept with the vehicle. (1) the same substantial defect or mal- function results in a condition that is likely to cause death or serious bodily injury if the vehicle is driven, that de- fect or malfunction has been subject to repair two or more times, and you have directly notified Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC in writing of the need for its repair, (2) the same substantial defect or mal- function of a less serious nature than category (1) has been subject to repair four or more times and you have direct- ly notified us in writing of the need for its repair, or Important notice for California retail buyers and lessees of Mercedes-Benz automobiles Under California law you may be entitled to a replacement of your vehicle or a refund of the purchase price or lease price, if Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC and/or its au- thorized repair or service facilities fail to fix one or more substantial defects or mal- functions in the vehicle that are covered by its express warranty after a reasonable number of repair attempts. During the pe- riod of 18 months from original delivery of the vehicle or the accumulation of 18 000 miles (approx. 29 000 km) on the odometer of the vehicle, whichever occurs first, a reasonable number of repair at- tempts is presumed for a retail buyer or lessee if one or more of the following oc- curs: Introduction Operator’s Manual (3) the vehicle is out of service by reason of repair of the same or different sub- stantial defects or malfunctions for a cumulative total of more than 30 calender days. Written notification should be sent to us, not a dealer, at Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC, Customer Assistance Center, One Mercedes Drive, Montvale, NJ 07645-0350. 11 Introduction Operator’s Manual Maintenance The Service Booklet describes all the nec- essary maintenance work which should be performed at regular intervals. Always have the Service Booklet with you when you take the vehicle to your autho- rized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center for service. The service advisor will record each service in the booklet for you. Roadside Assistance The Mercedes-Benz Roadside Assistance Program provides factory-trained technical help in the event of a breakdown. Calls to the toll-free Roadside Assistance number 1-800-FOR-MERCedes (in the USA) 1-800-387-0100 (in Canada) will be answered by Mercedes-Benz Cus- tomer Assistance Representatives 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Roadside Assistance will be provided in ac- cordance with standard program guide- lines which include providing service to the 12 vehicle up to a reasonable distance from a paved roadway. We will make every effort to assist in a breakdown situation, howev- er, the accessibility of your vehicle will be determined by our authorized Mer- cedes-Benz Light Truck Center technician or the tow service provider on a case-by-case basis and may be a factor in our ability to respond. Additional charges may be applicable for a breakdown location determined not to be a reasonably accessible roadside location as determined by our authorized technician and tow service provider. For additional information refer to the Mercedes-Benz Roadside Assistance Pro- gram brochure in your glove box. Change of address or ownership If you change your address, be sure to send in the “Change of Address Notice” found in the Service and Warranty Informa- tion Booklet, or simply call the Mercedes-Benz Customer Assistance Center (in the USA) at 1-800-FOR-MER-Cedes, or Customer Ser- vice (in Canada) at 1-800-387-0100. It is in your own interest that we can contact you should the need arise. If you sell your Mercedes, please leave all literature with the vehicle to make it avail- able to the next operator. If you bought this vehicle used, be sure to send in the “Notice of Purchase of Used Car” found in the Service and Warranty In- formation Booklet, or call the Mercedes-Benz Customer Assistance Cen- ter (in the USA) at 1-800-FOR-MERCedes, or Customer Service (in Canada) at 1-800-387-0100. Operating your vehicle outside the USA or Canada If you plan to operate your vehicle in for- eign countries, please be aware that: 앫 Service facilities or replacement parts may not be readily available, 앫 unleaded gasoline for vehicles with cat- alytic converters may not be available; the use of leaded fuels will damage the catalysts, 앫 gasoline may have a considerably low- er octane rating, and improper fuel can cause engine damage. Introduction Operator’s Manual 13 Introduction Operator’s Manual Warning! This Sport Utility Vehicle is designed for both on-road and off-road use. It can go places and perform tasks for which conventional 2-wheel drive passenger cars were not intended. This vehicle will handle and maneuver differently from conventional passenger cars in driving conditions which may occur on streets, highways and off-road use. This vehicle has a higher ground clearance and a higher center of gravity than many passenger cars. As with other vehicles of this type, if you make sharp turns at excessive speeds or abrupt maneuvers, the vehicle may roll over or may go out of control and crash. Utility vehicles have a significantly higher rollover rate than other types of vehicles. Failure to operate this vehicle safely may result in an accident, rollover of the vehicle, and severe or fatal injury. Before you start to drive this vehicle, read the Operator’s Manual. Take time to become familiar with the driving characteristics of this vehicle. Be sure you are familiar with all vehicle controls. Learn how your vehicle handles on different road surfaces. Do not attempt sharp turns at excessive speeds or abrupt maneuvers or other unsafe driving actions that can cause loss of vehicle control. When driving off-road or working the vehicle hard, do not overload it. And, always wear your seat belts at all times. In a rollover crash, an unbelted person is significantly more likely to die than a person wearing a seat belt. 14 Introduction Where to find it Controls in detail Here you will find detailed information about the equipment installed on your ve- hicle. This section expands on the “Getting started” section and also describes techni- cal innovations. If you are already familiar with the basic functions of your vehicle, this section will be of particular interest to you. Operation Here you will find all the information you need for the proper operation of your vehi- cle. Practical hints This section provides fast assistance for dealing with problems you may encounter. Technical data All important technical data for your vehi- cle can be found in this section. Indexes The glossary provides explanations of the most important technical terms. The table of contents and the index are de- signed to help you find information quickly and easily. The following publications are part of your vehicle documentation: 앫 this Operator’s Manual 앫 the Service Booklet Separate operating instructions will be provided as required depending on the equipment options installed in your vehi- cle. Where to find it This Operator’s Manual is designed to pro- vide comprehensive support information for you, the vehicle operator. Each section has its own reference color so you can find information quickly. At a glance Here you will find an overview of all the controls that can be operated from the driver’s seat. Getting started Here you will find all the information you need for your first drive. You should read this section first if this is your first Mercedes-Benz vehicle or if you are rent- ing or borrowing this vehicle. Safety and Security Here you will find descriptions of the safety features of your vehicle. 15 Introduction Symbols Symbols The following symbols are found in this Operator’s Manual: Optional equipment is identified with an asterisk. Since standard equipment varies between models, the descriptions and illustrations in this manual may differ slightly from the actual equipment of your vehi- cle. Warning! Warning notices draw your attention to haz- ards that may endanger your health or life, or the health or life of others. Highlights hazards that may result in damage to your vehicle. Helpful hints or further information you may find useful. -> 왘 This symbol points to instructions for you to follow. 왘 A number of these symbols appearing in succession indicates a multiple-step procedure. 컄 Page 컄컄 This symbol tells you where to look for further information on a topic. This continuation symbol marks an interrupted procedure which will be continued on the next page. In the glossary of technical terms, this symbol is used to cross-reference term defini- tions. Display Words appearing in the multi- function display are printed in the type shown here. 16 Operating safety Warning! Proper use of the vehicle Introduction Operating safety Proper use of the vehicle requires that you are familiar with the following information and rules: 앫 the safety precautions in this manual 앫 the “Technical data” section in this manual 앫 traffic rules and regulations 앫 motor vehicle laws and safety stan- dards Work improperly carried out on electronic components and associated software could cause them to cease functioning. Because the vehicle’s electronic components are in- terconnected, any modification made may produce an undesired effect on other sys- tems. Electronic system malfunctions could seri- ously impair the operating safety of your ve- hicle. Ensure that any repairs or modifications to electronic components are carried out by an authorized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Cen- ter. Other improper work or modifications on the vehicle could also have a negative impact on the operating safety of the vehicle. Some safety systems only function while the engine is running. You should therefore nev- er turn off the engine while driving. 17 Introduction Problems with your vehicle Problems with your vehicle If you should experience a problem with your vehicle, particularly one that you believe may affect its safe operation, we urge you to immediately contact your authorized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center to have the problem diagnosed and corrected if required. If the matter is not handled to your satisfaction, please discuss the problem with the Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center management, or if necessary contact us at one of the following addresses: In the USA: Customer Assistance Center Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC One Mercedes Drive Montvale, NJ 07645-0350 In Canada: Customer Relations Department Mercedes-Benz Canada, Inc. 849 Eglinton Avenue East Toronto, Ontario, M4G 2L5 18 Introduction Reporting safety defects Reporting safety defects For the USA only: The following text is published as required of manufacturers under Title 49, Code of U.S. Federal Regulations, Part 575 pursuant to the “National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1966”. Reporting safety defects If you believe that your vehicle has a defect which could cause a crash or could cause injury or death, you should immediately inform the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in addition to notifying Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. If NHTSA receives similar complaints, it may open an investigation, and if it finds that a safety defect exists in a group of vehicles, it may order a recall and remedy campaign. However, NHTSA cannot become involved in individual problems between you, your dealer, or Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. To contact NHTSA, you may either call the Auto Safety Hotline toll-free at 1-888-327-4236 (or 366-0123 in Washington, D.C. area) or write to: NHTSA, U.S. Department of Transportation, Washington, D.C. 20590. You can also obtain other information about motor ve- hicle safety from the Hotline. 19 20 At a glance Cockpit Instrument cluster Center console Overhead control panel 21 At a glance Cockpit Cockpit 22 Item 1 Hood lock release 2 Parking brake pedal 3 Parking brake release 4 Left cup holder 5 Combination switch 앫 Turn signals 앫 High beam 6 Cruise control lever 7 Instrument cluster 8 Hazard warning flasher switch 9 Lever for voice control system*, see separate operating instructions Page 202 50 50 154 46 146 110 106 Item 10 Windshield wiper/washer switch 11 Front Parktronic* warning indicator 12 Glove box 13 Right cup holder 14 Storage compartment 15 Electrical outlet 16 Horn 17 Headlamp washer button* 18 Steering lock with ignition 19 Steering wheel adjustment stalk Page 122 150 152 154 158 121 33 37 At a glance Cockpit 23 At a glance Instrument cluster Instrument cluster 24 Item 1 Gauge for Page Item 3 Left indicator lamps Coolant tempera- ture Outside tempera- ture Fuel with fuel re- serve warning lamp 2 Knob for Activating instru- ment cluster Adjusting intensity of instrument lamps Main odometer Trip odometer read- out/reset Flexible Service System (FSS) 111 112 233 110 110 111 112 215 Page 225 226 225 234 with: ¿ Brake Assist Sys- tem (BAS)/Elec- tronic Stability Program (ESP) mal- function warning lamp { Electronic Traction System (4-ETS) mal- function indicator lamp - Antilock Brake Sys- tem (ABS) malfunc- tion indicator lamp 2 Brake pad wear in- dicator lamp : Low engine oil level 229 warning lamp At a glance Instrument cluster Item / Low engine coolant level warning lamp ê Low range indicator Page 230 226 lamp ? Engine malfunction 232 indicator lamp 4 Speedometer with: v 4-ETS (Electronic 224 Traction Sys- tem)/Electronic Stability Program (ESP) warning lamp Trip/main odome- ter Flexible Service System (FSS) Engine oil level indi- cator 111 215 204 25 At a glance Instrument cluster Item 5 Photo sensor (adjusts the brightness of the digital displays located in 1, 4 and 8) 6 Right indicator lamps with: W Low wind- shield/headlamp washer system fluid level warning lamp 7 Front passenger air- bag switched off ‡ Front fog lamp switched on Page 234 232 105 Item _ Steering wheel ad- justment not locked < Seat belt nonusage warning lamp 1 Supplemental Re- straint System (SRS) indicator É Brake warning lamp # Charge indicator lamp A High beam head- lamp switched on Page 229 234 227 228 229 233 47 Item 7 Knob for setting clock 8 Tachometer with: Selector lever position Clock Page 112 114 112 9 K Turn signal indicator lamp right 10 L Turn signal indicator lamp left 26 Center console Upper part At a glance Center console Item 1 Air outlets, automatic climate control 2 MCS, see separate operating instructions 3 Automatic climate control Rear window defroster switch 4 Seat heater switch*, passenger side 5 Rear quarter window switch*, right 6 ESP control switch Page 132 124 131 91 136 75 Item 7 Rear window wiper/wash- er switch 8 Rear quarter window switch*, left 9 Seat heater switch*, driver’s side 10 Front and rear fog lamp switch Page 123 136 91 105 11 Indicator lamp for antitheft 78 alarm system 12 Transmission control 118 switch, LOW RANGE mode 27 Item 1 Ashtray with cigarette lighter 2 Selector lever for automatic transmission Page 156 44 3 Power window switch, right 134 front door Item 7 Exterior rear view mirror adjustment switch Exterior rear view mirror electrically folding* 8 Central locking switch 9 Power window switch, left 4 Power window switch, right 134 rear door rear door 10 Switch for rear door win- 5 Parking assist* (Parktron- 149 dow override Page 38 120 89 134 69 ic) deactivation switch 6 Storage compartment with 154 cup holder 11 Power window switch, left 134 front door At a glance Center console Lower part 28 Overhead control panel At a glance Overhead control panel Item 1 Front left interior lighting 2 Signal transmitter keys for garage door opener 3 Front right interior lighting 4 Roadside Assistance button Information button 5 Interior lighting control 6 Trip computer* display 7 Rear view mirror Page 107 168 107 163 165 107 172 119 Item 8 Right reading lamp on/off 9 Automatic antiglare func- tion* on/off 10 Left reading lamp on/off 11 Glass breakage sensor 12 Trip computer* control Tow-away alarm switch 13 Tele Aid (emergency call system) button 14 Sliding/pop-up roof* switch Page 108 119 108 79 172 80 163 137 29 30 Getting started Unlocking Adjusting Driving Parking and locking 31 Getting started Unlocking The “Getting started” section provides an overview of the vehicle’s most basic func- tions. First-time Mercedes-Benz owners should pay special attention to the infor- mation given here. If you are already familiar with the basic functions described here, the “Controls in detail” section will help you with further in- formation. The corresponding page refer- ences are at the end of each segment. Unlocking Remote control with folding key Remote control with folding key 1 Â Panic button (컄 page 70) 2 Œ Unlock button 3 ‹ Lock button 4 Release button for key 5 Š Unlock button for liftgate 왘 Press unlock button Œ on the re- mote control. The indicator lamps light up for a short time. The locking knobs in the doors move up. 왘 Press release button 4 on the remote control. The key folds out. 왘 Get in the vehicle and insert the key in the steering lock (컄 page 33). More information can be found in the “Controls in detail” section (컄 page 84). 32 Steering lock positions Warning! When leaving the vehicle always remove the key from the steering lock and lock the vehi- cle. Do not leave children unattended in the vehicle, or with access to an unlocked vehi- cle. Unsupervised use of vehicle equipment may cause an accident and/or serious per- sonal injury. Getting started Unlocking To prevent accelerated battery dis- charge and a possible dead battery, al- ways remove the key from the steering lock. The key can only be withdrawn in position 0. If necessary, move steering wheel slightly to allow the key to be turned clockwise to position 1. A warning sounds when the driver’s door is opened and the key is in steer- ing lock position 0 or 1. More information can be found in the “Controls in detail” section (컄 page 84). 33 Steering lock 0 For removing key The steering is locked when the key is removed from the steering lock. If nec- essary, move steering wheel slightly to allow the locking mechanism to en- gage. 1 Unlocking steering. Power supplies to some electrical consumers, such as seat adjustment 2 Ignition (power supply for all electrical consumers) and driving position (selec- tor lever is unlocked) 3 Starting position Getting started Adjusting Adjusting Warning! All seat, head restraint, steering wheel, and rear view mirror adjustments, as well as fas- tening of seat belts, must be done before the vehicle is put into motion. Seats Depending on the vehicle’s equipment, you can adjust the seats manually or elec- trically. Warning! Do not adjust the driver’s seat while driving. Adjusting the seat while driving could cause the driver to lose control of the vehicle. Never ride in a moving vehicle with the seat back reclined. Sitting in an excessively re- clined position can be dangerous. You could slide under the seat belt in a collision. If you slide under it, the belt would apply force at the abdomen or neck. 34 That could cause serious or fatal injuries. The seat back and seat belts provide the best restraint when the wearer is in an up- right position and belts are properly posi- tioned on the body. Your seat must be adjusted so that you can correctly fasten your seat belt (컄 page 40). Never place hands under the seat or near any moving parts while a seat is being ad- justed. Warning! When leaving the vehicle always remove the key from the steering lock and lock your ve- hicle. Do not leave children unattended in the ve- hicle or with access to an unlocked vehicle. Unsupervised use of vehicle equipment may cause an accident and/or serious personal injury. Warning! Children 12 years old and under must never ride in the front seat, except in a Mercedes-Benz authorized BabySmartTM compatible child seat, which operates with the BabySmartTM system installed in the ve- hicle to deactivate the passenger side front airbag when it is properly installed. Other- wise they will be struck by the airbag when it inflates in a crash. If this happens, serious or fatal injury will result. According to accident statistics, children are safer when properly restrained in the rear seating positions than in the front seat- ing positions. Infants and small children must ride in back seats and be seated in an appropriate infant or child restraint system, which is properly secured with the vehicle's seat belt and top tether strap, or secured via lower anchors and top tether strap, fully in accordance with the child seat manufactur- er’s instructions. Adjusting manual seats A child’s risk of serious or fatal injuries is significantly increased if the child restraints are not properly secured in the vehicle and the child is not properly secured in the child restraint. 1 Seat height 2 Seat fore and aft adjustment 3 Backrest tilt 4 Head restraint height Getting started Adjusting Seat height 왘 Raise lever 1. 왘 The seat moves downward. 왘 Lean forward to raise the seat. If necessary, hold onto the steering wheel while adjusting the seat height in order to take weight off the seat. 왘 Release lever 1. Seat fore and aft adjustment 왘 Lift handle 2. 왘 Slide seat to desired position. Adjust a comfortable seating position that still allows you to reach the accel- erator/brake pedal safely. The position should be as far rearward as possible, consistent with ability to properly oper- ate controls. 왘 Release handle 2. The seat must be properly engaged. 35 Getting started Adjusting Backrest tilt 왘 Turn handwheel 3 until your hands are slightly angled when holding the steer- ing wheel. Head restraint tilt 왘 Manually adjust the angle of the head restraint. Push or pull on the lower edge of the head restraint cushion. Head restraint height Adjusting power seats* Warning! Warning! For your protection, drive only with properly positioned head restraints. Adjust head restraint to support the back of the head approximately at ear level. Do not drive the vehicle without the seat head restraints. Head restraints are intend- ed to help reduce injuries during an acci- dent. 왘 Pull up or push down on head restraint until it is in desired position. The power seats can also be operated with the appropriate door open. Do not leave children unattended in the vehicle, or with access to an unlocked vehicle. Unsuper- vised use of vehicle equipment may cause an accident and/or serious personal injury. The seat adjustment switch is located on the entry side of each front seat base. 왘 Switch on the ignition by turning the key in the steering lock to position 2 (컄 page 33). All the lights in the instrument cluster light up. 36 1 Seat height 2 Seat fore and aft adjustment 3 Seat cushion tilt 4 Backrest tilt Seat height 왘 Press the switch up or down in the di- rection of arrow 1. Seat fore and aft adjustment 왘 Press the switch forward or backward in the direction of arrow 2 until you can comfortably press the pedals all the way to the floor. Seat cushion tilt 왘 Press the switch up or down in the di- rection of arrow 3 until your upper legs are lightly supported. Backrest tilt 왘 Press the switch forward or backward in the direction of arrow 4 until your hands are slightly angled when holding the steering wheel. With the front door open, the seats can still be adjusted approx. 30 minutes af- ter the ignition has been turned off. Getting started Adjusting Head restraint height Steering wheel Warning! Warning! For your protection, drive only with properly positioned head restraints. Adjust head restraint to support the back of the head approximately at ear level. Do not drive the vehicle without the seat head restraints. Head restraints are intend- ed to help reduce injuries during an acci- dent. 왘 Pull up or push down on head restraint until it is in desired position. Head restraint tilt 왘 Manually adjust the angle of the head restraint. Push or pull on the lower edge of the head restraint cushion. More information can be found in the “Controls in detail” section (컄 page 91). Do not adjust the steering wheel while driv- ing. The steering wheel must be locked while driving. Adjusting the steering wheel while driving, or driving without the steering column locked could cause the driver to lose control of the vehicle. 1 Lever 37 Getting started Adjusting 왘 Move lever 1 to its stop down. 왘 Move steering wheel up or down to de- sired position. 왘 Move lever 1 to its stop up. The steering column is locked. If the indicator lamp _ (컄 page 26) comes on while the engine is running, the steering column is not locked prop- erly. 38 Mirrors Adjust the inside and exterior rear view mirrors before driving so that you have a good view of the road and traffic condi- tions. Inside rear view mirror 왘 Manually adjust the inside rear view mirror. Exterior rear view mirrors Warning! Warning! In the case of an accident, liquid electrolyte may escape the mirror housing if the mirror glass breaks. Electrolyte has an irritating effect. Do not al- low the liquid to come into contact with eyes, skin, clothing, or the respiratory sys- tem. In case it does, immediately flush af- fected area with water, and seek medical help if necessary. Exercise care when using the passenger side exterior rear view mirror. The mirror surface is convex (outwardly curved surface for a wider field of view). Objects in mirror are closer than they appear. Check your in- side rear view mirror or glance over your shoulder before changing lanes. Electrolyte drops coming into contact with the vehicle paint finish can only be completely removed while in their liq- uid state and by applying plenty of wa- ter. Getting started Adjusting 왘 Switch on the ignition by turning the key in the steering lock to position 2 (컄 page 33) All the lights in the instrument cluster light up. 왘 Press button 1 for the left mirror or button 2 for the right mirror. 왘 Push adjustment button 3 up, down, left or right according to the setting de- sired. With the front doors closed, the exteri- or mirrors can still be adjusted approx. 30 minutes after the ignition has been turned off. At low outside temperatures, the exte- rior mirrors will be automatically heated. More information can be found in the “Controls in detail” section (컄 page 119). The buttons are on the lower part of the center console. 1 Driver’s side mirror 2 Passenger side mirror 3 Adjustment button 39 Getting started Driving Driving Warning! Do not lay any objects in the driver’s foot- well. Be careful that floor mats or carpets in the driver’s footwell have sufficient clear- ance for the pedals. During sudden driving or braking maneuvers the objects could get caught between the pedals. You could then no longer brake or accelerate. Fastening the seat belts Warning! Always fasten your seat belt before driving off. Always make sure your passengers are properly restrained, even those sitting in the rear and pregnant women. 40 Failure to wear and properly fasten and po- sition your seat belt greatly increases your risk of injuries and their likely severity in an accident. You and your passengers should always wear seat belts. If you are ever in an accident, your injuries can be considerably more severe without your seat belt properly buckled. Without your seat belt buckled, you are much more likely to hit the interior of the vehicle or be ejected from it. You can be seriously injured or killed. In the same crash, the possibility of injury or death is lessened if you are wearing your seat belt. The airbags can only protect as ex- pected if the occupants are using their seat belts (컄 page 54). Warning! Children 12 years old and under must never ride in the front seat, except in a Mercedes-Benz authorized BabySmartTM compatible child seat, which operates with the BabySmartTM system installed in the ve- hicle to deactivate the passenger front air- bag when it is properly installed. Otherwise they will be struck by the airbag when it in- flates in a crash. If this happens, serious or fatal injury will result. According to accident statistics, children are safer when properly restrained in the rear seating positions than in the front seat- ing positions. Infants and small children must ride in back seats and be seated in an appropriate infant or child restraint system, which is properly secured with the vehicle's seat belt and top tether strap, or secured via lower anchors and top tether strap, fully in accordance with the child seat manufactur- er's instructions. Warning! Never let more people ride in the vehicle than there are seat belts available. Be sure everyone riding in the vehicle is correctly re- strained with a separate seat belt. Warning! Read and observe the additional warning no- tices printed in the “Safety and Security” section (컄 page 57) and (컄 page 60). A child’s risk of serious or fatal injuries is significantly increased if the child restraints are not properly secured in the vehicle and the child is not properly secured in the child restraint. Warning! Never ride in a moving vehicle with the back- rest reclined. Sitting in an excessively re- clined position can be dangerous. You could slide under the seat belt in a collision. If you slide under it, the belt would apply force at the abdomen or neck. That could cause se- rious or even fatal injuries. The backrest and seat belt provide the best restraint when the wearer is in an upright position and the belt is properly positioned on the body. Getting started Driving 1 Latch plate 2 Buckle 3 Release button 4 Seat belt housing 41 Getting started Driving 왘 With a smooth motion, pull the belt 앫 Position the lap belt as low as possible from seat belt housing 4. 왘 Place the belt over your shoulder. 왘 Push latch plate 1 into buckle 2 until it clicks. 왘 If necessary, tighten the lap portion to a snug fit by pulling shoulder portion up. 왘 If necessary, adjust the seat belt to the correct height (컄 page 43). Proper use of seat belts: 앫 Do not twist the belt when fastening. 앫 Adjust the seat belt so that the shoul- der portion is located as close as possi- ble to the middle of the shoulder (it should not touch the neck or pass un- der the arm). on your hips (over hip joint) and not across the abdomen. 앫 Place the seat backrest in a nearly up- right position. 앫 Each seat belt should never be used for more than one person at a time. 앫 Do not fasten a seat belt around a per- son and another object at the same time. 앫 Check your seat belt during travel to ensure that it is properly positioned. 앫 Ensure that the seat belt is always fit- ted snugly. You should avoid wearing bulky clothing, such as winter coats, when traveling in the vehicle. Warning! Do not pass belts over sharp edges. They could tear. Do not allow the belt to get caught in the door or in the seat adjustment mechanism. This could damage the belt. Never attempt to make modifications to seat belts. This could impair the effective- ness of the belts. Damaged seat belts or belts that were highly stressed in an accident must be replaced by an authorized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center. 42 Seat belt height adjustment Seat belt height can be adjusted for the fol- lowing seats: 앫 Driver’s seat 앫 Passenger seat 앫 Outer rear seats Adjust seat belt so that the shoulder por- tion is located as close as possible to the middle of the shoulder (it should not touch the neck or pass under the arm). 1 Release button Getting started Driving Adjusting seat belt higher 왘 Slide belt outlet upward. The belt outlet engages in various posi- tions. Adjusting seat belt lower 왘 Press and hold release button 1. 왘 Slide belt outlet in desired position and let go of release button 1. 43 왘 Make sure that the gear selector lever is set to P. Do not depress the accelerator. 왘 Turn the key in the steering lock to position 3 and hold until the engine starts (컄 page 33). 왘 Depress the brake pedal. The selector lever lock is released. For information on turning off the engine with the key, see “Turning off engine” (컄 page 51). Gearshift pattern for automatic transmission P Park position with selector lever lock R Reverse gear N Neutral D Drive position For more information on “Automatic trans- mission” (컄 page 113). Getting started Driving Starting the engine Warning! Inhalation of exhaust gas is hazardous to your health. All exhaust gas contains carbon monoxide, and inhaling it can cause uncon- sciousness and lead to death. Do not run the engine in confined areas (such as a garage) which are not properly ventilated. If you think that exhaust gas fumes are entering the vehicle while driving, have the cause determined and corrected immediately. If you must drive under these conditions, drive only with at least one win- dow fully open. 44 Starting difficulties Parking brake Warning! Ensure that the brake pedal is de- pressed when starting the engine. If the engine does not start as described, carry out the following steps: 왘 Turn key in starter to position 0 and re- peat starting procedure. Remember that extended starting at- tempts can drain the battery. 왘 Get a jump start (컄 page 264). If the engine does not start after several starting attempts, there could be a mal- function in the engine electronics or in the fuel supply system. 왘 Notify an authorized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center. Getting started Driving 왘 Release the parking brake by pulling on handle 2. The indicator lamp É in the instru- ment cluster goes out. When leaving the vehicle always remove the key from the steering lock and lock the vehi- cle. Do not leave children unattended in the vehicle, or with access to an unlocked vehi- cle. Children could release the parking brake, which could result in an accident and/or serious personal injury. Driving 왘 Place the gear selector lever in position D or R. Wait for the gear selection process to complete before setting the vehicle in motion. 왘 Release the brake pedal. 왘 Carefully depress the accelerator pedal. 1 Parking brake pedal 2 Release handle 45 Warning! On slippery road surfaces, never downshift in order to obtain braking action. This could result in drive wheel slip and reduced vehi- cle control. Your vehicle’s ABS will not pre- vent this type of loss of control. More information can be found in the “Op- eration” section (컄 page 177). For information on off-road driving, see Driving instructions (컄 page 186). Switching on headlamps The combination switch is on the left of the steering column. Combination switch 1 Off 2 Low beam headlamps on 3 High beam lamps on 왘 Turn the switch to õ. Low beam headlamps on. Getting started Driving If you hear a warning signal when driv- ing off, you have forgotten to release the parking brake. Release the parking brake. After a cold start the transmission engages at a higher revolution. This allows the cata- lytic converter to reach its operating tem- perature earlier. Warning! It is dangerous to shift the selector lever out of P or N if the engine speed is higher than idle speed. If your foot is not firmly on the brake pedal, the vehicle could accelerate quickly forward or in reverse. You could lose control of the vehicle and hit someone or something. Only shift into gear when the en- gine is idling normally and when your right foot is firmly on the brake pedal. 46 왘 Press the combination switch up 1 or Windshield wipers Getting started Driving The combination switch is on the right of the steering column. down 2. The switch is automatically cancelled when the steering wheel is turned to a large enough degree. To signal minor directional changes, move combination switch to point of resistance only and release. The turn signal blinks three times. High beam 왘 Push the exterior lamp switch forward. The high beam symbol A in the instrument cluster lights up. More information can be found in the “Controls in detail” section (컄 page 102) Turn signals The combination switch is on the left of the steering column. Combination switch 1 Turn signals, right 2 Turn signals, left Wiper switch 0 Windshield wipers off 1 Intermittent wiping 2 Normal wiper speed 3 Fast wiper speed 4 Wiping with windshield wiper fluid 47 Rear window wiper The button is on the upper part on the cen- ter console. 1 Intermittent wiping 2 Indicator lamp 3 Wiping with washer fluid Switching on intermittent wiping Make sure that the ignition is switched on. 왘 Press upper half 1 of the button. Switching off intermittent wiping 왘 Press upper half 1 of the button again. Wiping with washer fluid 왘 Press and hold lower half 3 of the but- ton. After releasing the button the wiper op- erates for additional five seconds. Getting started Driving Switching on windshield wipers 왘 Make sure that the ignition is switched on. 왘 Turn the wiper switch to the desired po- sition 1, 2 or 3, depending on the inten- sity of the rain. Single wipe 왘 Press switch briefly in the direction of arrow 2. The windshield wipers wipe one time without washer fluid. Wiping with windshield washer fluid 왘 Pull and hold wiper switch in direction of arrow 4. The windshield wiper operates with washer fluid. More information on windshield wipers can be found in the “Controls in detail” section (컄 page 122). 48 Problems while driving The engine runs erratically and misfires 앫 An ignition cable may be damaged. 앫 The engine electronics may not be op- erating properly. 앫 Unburned gasoline may have entered the catalytic converter and damaged it. 왘 Give very little gas. 왘 Have the problem repaired by an au- thorized Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as possible. The coolant temperature is over 248°F (120°C) The coolant is too hot and is no longer cooling the engine. 왘 Stop the vehicle as soon as possible and turn off the engine. Allow engine and coolant to cool. 왘 Check the coolant level and add cool- ant if necessary (컄 page 206). Getting started Driving In case of accident If the vehicle is leaking gasoline: 왘 Do not start the engine under any cir- cumstances. 왘 Notify local fire and/or police authori- ties. If the extent of the damage cannot be de- termined: 왘 Notify an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center. If no damage can be determined on the 앫 major assemblies 앫 fuel system 앫 engine mount: 왘 Start the engine in the usual manner. 49 Getting started Parking and locking Parking and locking You have now completed your first drive. You have properly stopped and parked your vehicle. End your drive as follows. Warning! Wait until the vehicle is stationary before re- moving the key from the steering lock. The vehicle cannot be steered when the key is removed. Warning!

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2003 Mercedes-benz M Class Owners Manual