1997 MERCEDES-BENZ ML320 steering

80
Instrument cluster
Te ch n ica l
data
Instruments
and controls Operation
Driving Instrument
cluster display Practical hints Car care Index
Activating instrument cluster display
The display for temperature, odometer, oil level
indicator and clock is activated by:
• Opening the driver’s door.
• Pressing button (1) in the instrument cluster (with
key removed or in steering lock position 0).
• Turning the key in steering lock to position 1 or 2. Display illumination
Rotate knob (1) to vary intensity of instrument lamps: • Clockwise - instrument lamp intensity increases.
• Counterclockwise - instrument lamp intensity
decreases.
Odometer/trip odometer
Activate the instrument cluster. • Press knob (1) once to switch to or from odometer to
trip odometer readout.
• Press and hold knob (1) for more than 1 second to
reset trip odometer (with trip odometer displayed).
• Press knob (1) twice to display next scheduled
service.
Clock
Adjusting clock (instrument cluster activated):
Minute: Pull out knob (2) and turn it to the right.
Hour: Pull out knob (2) and turn it to the left.

83
Trip computer
Te ch n ica l
data
Instruments
and controls Operation
Driving Instrument
cluster display Practical hints Car care Index
Trip computer
(standard; optional on model ML 320)
The trip computer is located in the overhead console.
Function keys are: • RESET
• MODE
Note:
With engine not running, the display switches off
automatically 30 seconds after the last entry. To select a mode:
With key in steering lock position 1 or 2, press MODE
key repeatedly to illuminate the display and scroll
through menu for one of the following options:
1. Date, see page 84.
2. Compass, see page 84.
3. Stop watch, see page 86.
4. Present fuel consumption – displays miles per gallon or liters pe r 100 km.
5. Average fuel consumption – displays miles per gallon or liters per 100 km, see page 86.
6. Distance remaining with fuel presently in tank. Note:
The display f lashes when fuel supply drops to the
reserve level. The distance remaining is no longer
shown.
7. Language – Press RESET key until the desired language is displayed. Depending on language
selected, information is displayed in that country’s
customary system. See page 86.
8. Trip computer switched off.
MODE

84
Trip computer
Te ch n ica l
data
Instruments
and controls Operation
Driving Instrument
cluster display Practical hints Car care Index
To change an entry, select mode to be changed: • Date –
Press RESET key, the month shown blinks. Now
press MODE key to advance to selected month.
Press RESET key again, the day shown blinks. Now
press MODE key to advance to selected day.
Press RESET key again, the year shown blinks. Now
press MODE key to advance to selected year.
Press RESET key again, the display stops blinking
and the date is set.
• Compass –
The compass displays the direction the vehicle is
traveling, such as N, NE, E, SE, S, SW, W or NW.
Note:
The presence of buildings, bridges, power lines and
large antenna masts can influence the displayed
values. Metallic or magnetic objects in or on the
vehicle can influence the accuracy of the compass. To change the compass zones:
Determine the geographical point of the vehicle with the
aid of the zone maps below:
1. Turn key in steering lock to position 2.
2. Press MODE key repeatedly until the compass display appears in the trip computer display.
3. Press RESET key to select the compass zone mode. The zone selected last is shown in the display.
4. Press RESET key repeatedly until the correct compass zone, as determined from the zone map, is
shown in the display.
5. Press MODE key twice to activate the new compass zone and change back to compass display.

87
Flexible service system
Te ch n ica l
data
Instruments
and controls Operation
Driving Instrument
cluster display Practical hints Car care Index
Flexible service system (FSS)
(service indicator)
The FSS permits a flexible service schedule that is
directly related to the operating conditions of the
vehicle.
The symbol 9 or ´ appears in the main odometer
field prior to the next suggested service. Depending on
operating conditions throughout the year, the next
service is calculated and displayed in days or distance
remaining. The display begins to appear either 30 days or
2000 miles / km prior to the next suggested service.
The symbols 9 or ´ indicate the type of service
to be performed:
9 Service A
´ Service B
The message is displayed for approximately 10 seconds
when turning the key in steering lock to position 2, or
while driving when reaching the service warning
threshold.
The message can be canceled manually by pressing
button (1).
The next service due date is displayed either in days or
in miles, depending on your driving style.
Once the suggested term has passed, the symbol 9
or ´ plus message, preceded by a – (minus symbol)
blinks every time when turning the key in steering lock
to position 2.
Calling up service indicator manually:
Activate the instrument cluster, see page 80.
Within 4 seconds press button (1) twice to call up the
FSS display for approximately 10 seconds.

88
Flexible service system
Te ch n ica l
data
Instruments
and controls Operation
Driving Instrument
cluster display Practical hints Car care Index
Important!
The FSS indicator is not an engine oil level indicator.
See page 89 for engine oil level indicator.
Notes:
When disconnecting vehicle battery for one or more
days at a time, such days will not be counted. Any such
days not counted by the FSS can be added by your
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center.
The interval between services is determined by the type
of driving for which the vehicle is used. For example,
driving at extreme speeds, and cold starts combined
with short distance driving in which the engine does not
reach normal operating temperature, reduce the interval
between services.
Following a completed A or B service the Mercedes-
Benz Light Truck Center sets the counter mileage to
10 000 miles (Canada: 15 000 km) and 365 days.
The counter can also be set by any individual. To do so: 1. Turn the key in steering lock to position 2.
2. Immediately press button (1) twice within one second. 3. The present status for days or distance is displayed.
Within 10 seconds turn key in steering lock to
position 0.
4. Press and hold button (1), while turning key in steering lock to position 2 again. The present status
for days or distance is displayed once more.
Continue to hold button (1).
After approximately 10 seconds a signal sounds, and
the display shows 10 000 miles (Canada: 15 000 km)
for approximately 10 seconds.
5. Release button (1).
If the FSS counter was inadvertently reset, have it
corrected at a Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center.
Notes:
The FSS allows for distances between 10 000 miles
(Canada: 15 000 km) and 20 000 miles (Canada:
30 000 km), or from 365 to 730 days between services.
However you choose to set your reference numbers, the
scheduled services as posted in the Service Booklet
must be followed to properly care for your vehicle.

89
Engine oil level indicator
Te ch n ica l
data
Instruments
and controls Operation
Driving Instrument
cluster display Practical hints Car care Index
Engine oil level indicator
To check the engine oil level, park vehicle on level
ground, with engine at normal operational temperature.
Check oil level approximately 5 minutes after stopping
the engine, allowing for the oil to return to the oil pan.
Turn the key in steering lock to position 2 and wait until
the display “––––––” appears in the odometer display
field.
Within 1 second press button (1) twice. The following messages are available:
“OIL i.O”
No oil needs to be added.
“–1.0 L”
“–1.5 L”
“–2.0 L”
Add oil to upper (max) mark of the dipstick.
See page 233 for instructions on adding engine oil.
“OIL HI”
Do not overfill the engine.
Excessive oil must be siphoned or drained off. It could
cause damage to the engine and catalytic converter not
covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
The display “––––––” flashes in the odometer display
field if a proper oil level check cannot be performed. The
engine oil level check can be repeated after a short time.
Perform the engine oil level check with the dipstick, if it
cannot be completed via the odometer display field.
See page 233.
In this case we recommend that you have the system
checked at a Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center.

90
Exterior lamp switch
Te ch n ica l
data
Instruments
and controls Operation
Driving Instrument
cluster display Practical hints Car care Index
Exterior lamp switch
Rotate switch $ to positions:
D Off
C Parking lamps (also side marker lamps, taillamps,
license plate lamps, instrument panel lamps)
Canada only: When the engine is running, the low
beam is additionally switched on.
õ Parking lamps plus low beam or high beam
headlamps (switch pushed forward) ƒ
Standing lamps, left or right side (depending on
turn signal switch position). Turn key in steering
lock to position 0 or remove.
Standing lamps, left – move stalk to position (5).
Standing lamps, right – move stalk to position (4).
Move stalk to positions: 1 Low beam (exterior lamp switch position õ)
2 High beam (exterior lamp switch position õ)
3 High beam flasher (high beam available
independent of exterior lamp switch position)
4 Turn signals, right
5 Turn signals, left
To signal minor directional changes, such as changing
lanes on a h ig hway, m ove exterior la mp sw itch b rief ly to
the point of resistance only and release. The turn
signals blink three times.
To operate the turn signals continuously, move the
exterior lamp switch past the point of resistance (up or
down). The switch is automatically canceled when the
steering wheel is turned to a large enough degree.

91
Exterior lamp switch
Te ch n ica l
data
Instruments
and controls Operation
Driving Instrument
cluster display Practical hints Car care Index
Turn signal failure
If one of the turn signals fails, the turn signal indicator
system f lashes and sounds at a faster than normal rate.
Standing lamps
When the vehicle is parked on the street the standing
lamps (right or left side parking lamps) can be turned
on, making the vehicle more visible to passing vehicles.
The standing lamps cannot be operated with the key in
steering lock position 1 or 2.
Note:
With the key removed and a front door open, a warning
sounds if the vehicle’s exterior lamps (except standing
lamps) are not switched off. Daytime running lamps
(Canada only)
When the engine is running and the selector lever is in
a driving position, the low beam headlamps (includes
parking lamps, side marker lamps, taillamps and
license plate lamps) are automatically switched on.
When shifting from a driving position to position “N”
or “P”, the low beam switches off (2 seconds delay).
For nighttime driving the exterior lamp switch should
be turned to position õ to permit activation of the
high beam headlamps.