2000 Mercedes ML-Class Owner's Manual - Page 262

Transmission selector lever, manually unlocking Stranded vehicle Freeing a stranded vehicle, on which the wheels are dug into sand or mud, should be done with the greatest of care, especially if the vehicle is heavily loaded. Avoid pulling the vehicle jerkily or diagonally, since it could result in damage to the chassis alignment. Never try to free a vehicle that is still coupled to a trailer. If possible, a vehicle equipped with trailer hitch receiver should be pulled backward in its own previously made tracks. In the case of power failure the transmission selector lever can be manually unlocked, e.g. to tow the vehicle. To do so, insert a pin (1), e.g. ball point pen, into the covered opening below the position "D" of the shift pattern. While pushing the pin down, move selector lever from position "P". After removal of the pin from the opening, the cover will not close fully. Only after moving the selector lever to positions "D+" and "D-" does the cover return to its closed position. Towing Instruments and controls Operation Driving 259 Instrument cluster display Practical hints Car care Technical data Index