1997 MERCEDES-BENZ ML320 steering

61
Restraint systems
Te ch n ica l
data
Instruments
and controls Operation
Driving Instrument
cluster display Practical hints Car care Index
• Sit properly belted in an upright position with
your back against the backrest.• Adjust the driver’s seat as far as possible
rearward, still permitting proper operation of
vehicle controls. The distance from the center
of the driver’s breastbone to the center of the
airbag cover on the steering wheel must be at
least ten inches (25 cm) or more. You should be
able to accomplish this by a combination of
adjustments to the seat and steering wheel. If
you have any problems, please see your
authorized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center.• Do not lean with your head or chest close to the steering wheel or dashboard.• Keep hands on the outside of steering wheel rim. Placing hands and arms inside the rim
can increase the risk and potential severity of
hand / arm injury when the driver front airbag
inflates.• Adjust the front passenger seat as far as possible rearward from the dashboard when
the seat is occupied.
• Occupants, especially children, should never lean their heads in the area of the door where
the side airbag inflates. This could result in
serious injuries or death should the airbag be
triggered. Always sit upright, properly use the
seatbelts and appropriate size infant or child
restraint system.• Children 12 years old and under must never ride in the front seat, except in a
Mercedes-Benz authorized BabySmart
TM
compatible child seat, which operates with the
BabySmart
TM system installed in the vehicle to
deactivate the passenger side front airbag
when it is properly installed. Otherwise they
will be struck by the airbag when it inflates in
a crash. If this happens, serious or fatal injury
can result.
Failure to follow these instructions can result in
severe or fatal injuries to you or other occupants.

63
Restraint systems
Te ch n ica l
data
Instruments
and controls Operation
Driving Instrument
cluster display Practical hints Car care Index
Safety guidelines for the seat belt,
emergency tensioning retractor and airbag
Wa r n i n g !
• Damaged seat belts or belts that were highly stressed in an accident must be replaced and
their anchoring points must also be checked.
Use only belts installed or supplied by an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center.• Do not pass belts over sharp edges.• Do not make any modification that could change the effectiveness of the belts.• Airbags and ETR’s are designed to function on a one-time-only basis. An airbag or emergency
tensioning retractor (ETR) that was activated
must be replaced.
• An airbag system component within the steering wheel gets hot after the airbag has
inflated. Do not touch.• Improper work on the system, including incorrect installation and removal, can lead to
possible injury through an unintended
activation of the “SRS”.• No modifications of any kind may be made to any components or wiring of the “SRS”. This
includes changing or removing any component
or part of the “SRS”, the installation of
additional trim material, badges etc. over the
steering wheel hub, front passenger airbag
cover, or front door trim panels, and
installation of additional electrical / electronic
equipment on or near “SRS” components and
wiring. Keep area between airbags and
occupants free of objects (e.g. packages,
purses, umbrellas, etc.).

70
Adjustable steering wheel
Te ch n ica l
data
Instruments
and controls Operation
Driving Instrument
cluster display Practical hints Car care Index
Adjustable steering wheel Unlocking :
Move lever (1) down. The indicator lamp, located in the
instrument cluster, comes on.
Ad justing:
Move steering wheel up or down to desired position.
Locking:
Move lever (1) up. The indicator lamp, located in the
instrument cluster, goes out.
Important!
With the key in steering lock position 2, the indicator
lamp in the instrument cluster comes on. It should go
out when the engine is running.
If the indicator lamp does not go out after starting the
engine, the adjustable steering column is not locked
properly.
Do not drive the vehicle until you have properly locked
the steering column.
Wa r n i n g !
Do not adjust the steering wheel while driving. The
steering wheel must be locked while driving.
Adjusting the steering wheel while driving, or
driving without the steering wheel locked could
cause the driver to lose control of the vehicle.

72
Rear view mirrors
Te ch n ica l
data
Instruments
and controls Operation
Driving Instrument
cluster display Practical hints Car care Index
Automatic (optional on ML 320):
With the key in steering lock position 2 and the
automatic antiglare function activated, the mirror
reflection brightness responds to changes in light
sensitivity.
To a ctiva te:
Press button (1). The green indicator lamp in the rear
view mirror lights up. To deactivate:
Press button (1) again. The indicator lamp in the rear
view mirror goes out. The mirror brightness does not
respond to changes in light sensitivity.
Notes:
With gear selector lever in position “R”, or with the
interior lamps (except cargo compartment lamp)
switched on, the mirror brightness does not respond to
changes in light sensitivity.
The automatic antiglare function does not react, if
incoming light is not aimed directly at sensors in the
mirror.
Wa r n i n g !
In the case of an accident liquid electrolyte may
escape the mirror housing when the mirror glass
breaks.Electrolyte has an irritating effect. Do not allow the
liquid come into contact with eyes, skin, clothing,
or respiratory system. In cases it does, immediately
flush affected area with water, and seek medical
help if necessary.

73
Rear view mirrors
Te ch n ica l
data
Instruments
and controls Operation
Driving Instrument
cluster display Practical hints Car care Index
Exterior rear view mirrors
The switch is located on the center console.
Turn key in steering lock to position 1 or 2. First select the mirror to be adjusted – turn switch:
1 Left mirror
2 Right mirror
To adjust, toggle the switch forward, backward or to
either side.
Note:
After turning off the engine the exterior rear view
mirrors can be operated with a front door opened or
with key in steering lock position 1 for approximately
30 minutes.
P82.00-2044-26
Wa r n i n g !
Exercise care when using the passenger-side
mirror. The passenger-side exterior mirror is
convex (outwardly curved surface for a wider field
of view). Objects in mirror are closer than they
appear. Check your inside rear view mirror or
glance over your shoulder before changing lanes.

74
Rear view mirrors
Te ch n ica l
data
Instruments
and controls Operation
Driving Instrument
cluster display Practical hints Car care Index
Vehicles with automatic antiglare function:
With the key in steering lock position 2, the driver’s
side mirror reflection brightness responds to changes in
light sensitivity.
With gear selector lever in position “R”, or with the
interior lamps (except cargo compartment lamp)
switched on, the driver’s side mirror brightness does
not respond to changes in light sensitivity. Important!
Electrolyte drops coming into contact with the vehicle
paint finish can only be completely removed while in
their liquid state, by applying plenty of water.
Notes:
The exterior mirrors have electrically heated glass. The
heater switches on automatically, depending on outside
temperature.
If an exterior mirror housing is forcibly pivoted from its
normal position, it must be repositioned by applying
firm pressure until it snaps into place.
Wa r n i n g !
In the case of an accident liquid electrolyte may
escape the mirror housing when the mirror glass
breaks.Electrolyte has an irritating effect. Do not allow the
liquid come into contact with eyes, skin, clothing,
or respiratory system. In cases it does, immediately
flush affected area with water, and seek medical
help if necessary.

75
Rear view mirrors
Te ch n ica l
data
Instruments
and controls Operation
Driving Instrument
cluster display Practical hints Car care Index
Exterior rear view mirror, electrically folding
(optional on ML 320 and ML 430)
The switch is located in the dashboard behind the
steering wheel.
1 Press switch to fold mirror out
2 Press switch to fold mirror in If an exterior mirror housing is forcibly forced forward
or rearward (hit from the front or from the rear), press
lower half of the switch (2) until you hear a hitting
noise.
Press upper half of the switch (1) to fold mirror out.
You can adjust the exterior rear view mirrors again, see
page 73.
Notes:
The exterior rear view mirrors can vibrate if they are
not completely folded out.
Before running the vehicle through an automatic car
wash, fold the mirrors in, otherwise they might get
damaged.
After turning off the engine the exterior rear view
mirrors can be operated with a front door opened or
with key in steering lock position 1 for approximately
30 minutes.
P82.00-2016-26
12

78
Instrument cluster
Te ch n ica l
data
Instruments
and controls Operation
Driving Instrument
cluster display Practical hints Car care Index
Indicator lamps in the instrument cluster High beam
BAS malfunction, see page 221
ESP malfunction, see page 221
4-ETS+ malfunction, see page 221
ABS malfunction, see page 222
Brake pads worn down, see page 225
Engine oil level low, see page 224
Coolant level low, see page 224
Transmission in LOW RANGE mode,
see page 221 ESP and 4-ETS+. Adjust driving to road
condition, see page 221
Brake fluid low, see page 219
EBP malfunction, see page 204
Parking brake engaged, see page 173
Front passenger airbag automatically
switched off, see page 53
Front fog lamp, see page 92
Steering wheel adjustment not locked,
see page 70
Fasten seat belts,
see page 223
Battery not being charged properly,
see page 223
SRS malfunction, see page 219
BAS ESPABSLOW
RANGE
BRAKESRS