Segment:
Luxury Mid-size SUV
Target Audience:
Families, professionals seeking premium features and off-road capability
Key Competitors 2003:
BMW X5, Lexus RX330, Audi allroad quattro, Volvo XC90
Luxury Appointments:
High-quality interior materials, advanced comfort features
Performance Capabilities:
Comfortable on-road manners with respectable off-road ability (especially with optional packages)
Safety Systems:
Advanced airbag systems, stability control (ESP)
Primary Coverage:
Owner's manual information for 2003 Mercedes-Benz ML320
Secondary Coverage:
Maintenance, specifications, driver controls, safety, entertainment, climate control
Estimated Page Count:
Approximately 300-400 pages (typical for this era and vehicle type)
Powertrain:
Engine compartment, engine oil, battery, fuel information, air filter(s), refill capacities, lubricant specifications
Interior Features:
Instrument cluster, entertainment systems, climate controls, driver controls, locks and security, seating and safety restraints
Exterior Features:
Lights
Driving Operation:
Driving procedures and recommendations
Maintenance And Care:
Cleaning, maintenance and specifications, service information and specifications, maintenance information and specifications
Routine Maintenance:
Engine oil checks and changes, fluid level checks, filter replacement guidance, battery care
Operation:
Detailed explanation of all vehicle controls, features, and their proper usage
Safety Features:
Operation and limitations of safety restraints, security systems
Troubleshooting Basic:
Information on warning lamps and basic operational issues
Customer Assistance:
Information on customer support and reporting safety defects (U.S. specific)
Depth:
Owner-level operation, maintenance, and basic troubleshooting. Not a full service/repair manual.
Compatibility:
Requires a PDF reader (e.g., Adobe Acrobat Reader, Foxit Reader) and compatible with most digital devices.
Searchability:
Searchable text (assumed for modern PDF compilations from factory manuals)
Quality:
Digital reproduction of factory original, quality depends on source scan but generally high.
Binding:
Not Applicable (Digital Download)
Paper:
Not Applicable (Digital Download)
NHTSA Frontal Driver Rating:
★★★★★ (5-star)
NHTSA Frontal Passenger Rating:
★★★★★ (5-star)
NHTSA Side Impact Front Rating:
★★★★☆ (4-star)
NHTSA Side Impact Rear Rating:
★★★★☆ (4-star)
IIHS Moderate Overlap Frontal Offset:
Good
Stability Control:
Electronic Stability Program (ESP)
Traction Control:
All-Season Traction Control (4-ETS)
Airbags:
Frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, optional rear side-impact airbags
Seat Belts:
3-point inertia-reel seat belts with pre-tensioners and force limiters
Audio System:
Factory installed AM/FM/CD audio system, optional Bose premium sound system
Navigation:
Optional factory navigation system
Cruise Control:
Standard electronic cruise control
Parking Assistance:
Optional rear parking sensors
Remote Keyless Entry:
Standard remote keyless entry with central locking
Tele Aid:
Optional Mercedes-Benz Tele Aid system for emergency assistance
Oil Change Interval:
Every 10,000 miles or 12 months, whichever comes first (with synthetic oil, as recommended by MB)
Major Service A:
Refer to Flexible Service System (FSS) in manual; typically around 15,000-20,000 miles
Major Service B:
Refer to Flexible Service System (FSS) in manual; typically around 30,000-40,000 miles
Engine Oil:
SAE 0W-30 or 5W-40 Synthetic Engine Oil (MB 229.5 specification)
Coolant:
Mercedes-Benz approved Antifreeze/Coolant (e.g., G05 or equivalent)
Transmission Fluid:
ATF Specification 236.10 (e.g., MB 236.10 approved fluid)
Brake Fluid:
DOT 4 Plus (or equivalent meeting MB 331.0 specification)
Common Problems W163 Ml320:
Mass Airflow Sensor (MAF) issues, ignition coil failures, O2 sensor failures, valve cover gasket leaks, rust on body panels (especially wheel wells and rocker panels), transfer case actuator failure, blower motor resistor failure, ABS/ESP sensor issues.
Oil Filter Part Number:
e.g., Mann Filter: HU 719/3 x, Bosch: 3309, Mercedes-Benz: A1121840325 (check for specific model variant)
Engine Oil Capacity:
Approx. 8.0 quarts (6.5 liters) with filter change
Coolant Capacity:
Approx. 9.5 quarts (9.0 liters)
Transmission Fluid Capacity:
Approx. 8.0 quarts (7.5 liters) for a drain and fill
Brand Legacy:
Mercedes-Benz has a long-standing reputation for luxury, engineering, and safety since its inception.
First Generation:
W163 M-Class introduced in 1997 as Mercedes-Benz's first SUV.
Ml320 Significance:
The ML320 was the foundational model, offering a balance of luxury and capability, powered by a popular V6 engine.
Mid Cycle Refresh:
The 2003 model year represents a mid-cycle refresh for the W163, introducing styling updates and feature enhancements.
Assembly Location:
Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA
