Mercedes-Benz ML320. Manual — part 121

311

Technical terms

ABS

(Antilock Brake System)
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
lamp

7 in the instrument cluster

lights up). See your authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center for
availability.

BabySmart

TM

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

(Brake Assist System)
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 in-
tense light than filament headlamps.
Bi-Xenon headlamps produce low
beam and high beam.

CAC

(Customer Assistance Center)
Mercedes-Benz customer service cen-
ter, which can help you with any ques-
tions about your vehicle and provide
assistance in the event of a break-
down.

CAN system

(Controller Area Network)
Data bus network serving to control ve-
hicle functions such as door locking or
windshield wiping.

Cockpit

All instruments, switches, buttons and
indicator/warning lamps in the pas-
senger compartment needed for vehi-
cle operation and monitoring.

Cruise control

Driving convenience system for auto-
matically 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 pro-
duced.

312

Technical terms

Engine oil viscosity

Measurement for the inner friction (vis-
cosity) of the oil at different tempera-
tures. The higher the temperature an
oil can tolerate without becoming thin,
or the lower the temperature it can tol-
erate without becoming viscous, the
better the viscosity.

ESP

(Electronic Stability Program)
Improves vehicle handling and direc-
tional stability.

ETD

(Emergency Tensioning Device)
Device which deploys in certain frontal
and rear collisions exceeding the sys-
tem's threshold to tighten the seat
belts.
->SRS

FSS

(Flexible Service System)
Service indicator in the speedometer
display that informs the driver when
the next vehicle maintenance service is
due.

Gear range

Number of gears which are available to
the automatic transmission for shifting.
The automatic gear shifting process
can be adapted to specific operating
conditions using the gear selector
lever.

GPS

(Global Positioning System)
Satellite-based system for relaying
geographic location information to and
from vehicles equipped with special re-
ceivers. Employs CD or DVD digital
maps for navigation.

GAWR

(Gross Axle Weight Rating)
The GAWR is the maximum permissible
axle weight. The gross vehicle weight
on each axle must never exceed the
GAWR for the front and rear axle indi-
cated on the certification label located
on the driver’s door pillar.

GVW

(Gross Vehicle Weight)
The GVW comprises the weight of the
vehicle including fuel, tools, spare
wheel, installed accessories, passen-
gers and cargo. The GVW must never
exceed the GVWR, indicated on the
certification label located on the driv-
er’s door pillar.

313

Technical terms

GVWR

(Gross Vehicle Weight Rating)
This is the maximum permissible vehi-
cle weight. It is indicated on certifica-
tion label located on the driver’s door
pillar.

Instrument cluster

The displays and indicator/warning
lamps in the driver’s field of vision, in-
cluding the tachometer, speedometer,
engine temperature and fuel gauge.

Kickdown

Depressing the accelerator past the
point of resistance shifts the transmis-
sion down to the lowest possible gear.
This very quickly accelerates the vehi-
cle and should not be used for normal
acceleration needs.

Line of fall

The direct line that an object moves
downhill when influenced by the force
of gravity alone.

Lock button

Button on the door which indicates
whether the door is locked or un-
locked. Pushing the lock button down
on an individual door from inside will
lock that door.

MCS

(Modular Control System)
Information and operating center for
vehicle sound and communications
systems, including the radio and the ra-
dio and navigation system, as well as
for other optional equipment (CD
changer, telephone, etc.).

Memory function*

Used to store three individual seat,
steering wheel and mirror positions.

MON

(Motor Octane Number)
The Motor Octane Number for gasoline
as determined by a standardized meth-
od. It is an indication of a gasoline's
ability to resist undesired detonation
(knocking). The average of both the
MON (Motor Octane Number) and
->RON (Research Octane Number) is
posted at the pump, also known as
ANTI-KNOCK INDEX.

Multifunction display

A display field in the instrument cluster
used to present information provided
by the control system.

Parktronic system* (Parking assist)

System which uses visual and acoustic
signals to assist the driver during park-
ing maneuvers.

314

Technical terms

Poly-V-belt drive

Drives engine-components (alternator,
AC compressor, etc.) from the engine.

Power train

Collective term designating all compo-
nents used to generate and transmit
motive power to the drive axles, includ-
ing

앫

engine

앫

clutch/torque converter

앫

transmission

앫

transfer case

앫

drive shaft

앫

differential

앫

axle shafts/axles

Remote Vehicle Diagnostics

Transmission of vehicle data and cur-
rent location to the Mercedes-Benz
Customer Assistance Center for sub-
scribers to Tele Aid service.

REST

(Residual engine heat utilization)
Feature that uses the engine heat
stored in the coolant to heat the vehi-
cle interior for a short time after the en-
gine has been turned off.

Restraint system

Seat belts, belt tensioner, airbags and
child seat restraint systems. As inde-
pendent systems, their protective func-
tions complement one another.

RON

(Research Octane Number)
The Research Octane Number for gaso-
line as determined by a standardized
method. It is an indication of a gaso-
line's ability to resist undesired detona-
tion (knocking). The average of both
the ->MON (Motor Octane Number)
and RON (Research Octane Number) is
posted at the pump, also known as
ANTI-KNOCK INDEX.

Shift lock

When the vehicle is parked, this lock
prevents the transmission selector le-
ver from being moved out of position P
without key turned and brake pedal de-
pressed.

SRS

(Supplemental Restraint System)
Seat belts, emergency tensioning de-
vice and airbags. Though independent
systems, they are closely interfaced to
provide effective occupant protection.