1997 MERCEDES-BENZ ML320 heater

45
Seats
Te ch n ica l
data
Instruments
and controls Operation
Driving Instrument
cluster display Practical hints Car care Index
Notes:
When in operation, the seat heater consumes a large
amount of electrical power. It is not advisable to use the
seat heater longer than necessary.
The seat heaters may automatically switch off if too
many power consumers are switched on at the same
time, or if the battery charge is low. When this occurs,
the indicator lamps in the switch will blink for
approximately 30 seconds.
Within this time the seat heaters will switch on again
automatically as soon as sufficient voltage is available.
After approximately 30 seconds without sufficient
voltage the seat heaters switch off (indicator lamps go
out).

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.

100
Climate control
Te ch n ica l
data
Instruments
and controls Operation
Driving Instrument
cluster display Practical hints Car care Index
Basic setting - Heater
Select temperature.
Select air volume with control switch Q, set at least
to position 2 to prevent windows from fogging up.
Set air distribution control switch to position shown
above.
Turn wheels (7) to position l to open left and right
side air outlets (9). Adjust air outlets upward.
Open center air outlets as desired. Basic setting - Air Conditioner
Switch on air conditioner with control button œ.
Select temperature.
Select air volume with control switch Q, set at least
to position 1.
Set air distribution control switch to position a.
Open side air outlets.
Open center air outlets.

164
Starting and turning off the engine
Te ch n ica l
data
Instruments
and controls Operation
Driving Instrument
cluster display Practical hints Car care Index
Starting and turning off the engine
Before starting
Ensure that parking brake is engaged and that selector
lever is in position “P” or “N”. Turn key in steering lock
to position 2. The charge indicator lamp should come on.
Starting
Do not depress accelerator.
Briefly turn key in steering lock clockwise to the stop
and release. The starter will engage until the engine is
running.
If engine will not run, and the starting procedure stops,
turn key completely to the left and repeat starting the
engine.
After several unsuccessful attempts, have the system
checked at the nearest authorized Mercedes-Benz Light
Truck Center.
A starting procedure can be interrupted by turning the
key to steering lock position 0. Important!
Due to the installed starter non-repeat feature, the key
must be turned completely to the left before attempting
to start the engine again.
In areas where temperatures frequently drop below -4 °F
(-20 °C) we recommend that an engine block heater be
installed. Your authorized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck
Center will advise you on this subject.
Note:
In case the engine cannot be started and the
messages Á and î are shown in the odometer
display field, the system is not operational. Contact an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center or call
1-800-FOR-MERCedes (in the USA), or 1-800-387-0100
(in Canada).
Turning off
Turn the key in the steering lock to position 0 to stop the
engine.
The key can only be removed with the selector lever in
position “P”.

182
Driving instructions
Te ch n ica l
data
Instruments
and controls Operation
Driving Instrument
cluster display Practical hints Car care Index
Passenger compartment
Block heater (Canada only)
The engine is equipped with a block heater.
The electrical cable may be installed at your authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center. Traveling abroad
Abroad, there is a widely-spread Mercedes-Benz service
network at your disposal. If you plan to travel into areas
which are not listed in the index of your Mercedes-Benz
Light Truck Center directory, you should request
pertinent information from your authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center.
Wa r n i n g !
Always fasten items being carried as securely as
possible.In an accident, during hard braking or sudden
maneuvers, loose items will be thrown around
inside the vehicle, and cause injury to vehicle
occupants unless the items are securely fastened in
the vehicle.The trunk is the preferred place to carry objects.

300
Index
Te ch n ica l
data
Instruments
and controls Operation Driving
Instrument
cluster display Practical hints Car care
Index
Index
AABS (Antilock brake system) ....................................... 201 LOW RANGE – ABS ..................................................202
Malfunction indicator lamp .....................................222
Adjustable steering wheel .............................................. 70 Indicator lamp ...........................................................222
Adjusting headlamp aim ...............................................268
Air conditioner refrigerant ...........................................294
Air pump .........................................................................239
Air recirculation ............................................................ 102
Airbag deactivation system ............................................ 53
Airbag OFF indicator lamp ...........................................222
Airbags .............................................................................. 56
Alarm system ............................................................. 35, 36
Anticorrosion/antifreeze .................... 181, 235, 293, 297
Antiglare night position ................................................. 71
Antilock brake system (ABS) ....................................... 201 LOW RANGE – ABS ..................................................202
Malfunction indicator lamp .....................................222
Antitheft alarm system ................................................... 35
Aquaplaning ................................................................... 178 Ashtray
Center console, front ................................................ 118
Rear passenger compartment ................................. 118
Automatic central locking ..............................................32
Automatic transmission ................................................ 165 Emergency Operation ............................................... 172
Fluid level .................................................................. 234
Selector lever position .............................................. 168
Transmission selector lever, manually unlocking 259
BBabySmart
TM airbag deactivation system ..................... 53
Self-test ......................................................................... 53
BAS (Brake assist system) ............................................ 199 Malfunction indicator lamp .....................................221
Battery .............................................................................251 Battery recycling ...................................................... 252
Charge indicator lamp ............................................. 223
Battery, remote control ................................................. 270
Block heater .................................................................... 182
Blocking of rear door windows ....................................105
Brake assist system (BAS) ............................................ 199 Malfunction indicator lamp .....................................221

ContentsOperation......................................... 191
The first 1000 miles (1500 km) ......... 192
Driving instructions ............................ 193
Drive sensibly – save fuel ............. 193
Drinking and driving ..................... 193
Pedals .......................................... 193
Power assistance ......................... 193
Brakes .......................................... 194
Driving off..................................... 195
Parking ......................................... 196
Tires ............................................. 196
Hydroplaning ................................ 197
Tire traction .................................. 197
Tire speed rating .......................... 198
Winter driving instructions ........... 198
Standing water ............................. 200
Off-road driving ............................ 200
Trailer towing ............................... 206
Passenger compartment .............. 211
Driving abroad .............................. 211
Control and operation of
radio transmitters......................... 211
Catalytic converter ....................... 212
Emission control........................... 212
Coolant temperature .................... 213At the gas station .............................. 214
Refueling ...................................... 214
Check regularly and before
a long trip ..................................... 215
Engine compartment ......................... 217
Hood ............................................ 217
Engine oil ..................................... 218
Transmission fluid level ................ 222
Coolant ........................................ 222
Battery ......................................... 223
Windshield washer system and
headlamp cleaning system* ......... 224
Tires and wheels ................................ 226
Important guidelines .................... 226
Life of tire..................................... 227
Direction of rotation ..................... 227
Checking tire inflation pressure ... 227
Rotating wheels ........................... 228
Winter driving .................................... 230
Winter tires .................................. 230
Block heater (Canada only) .......... 231
Snow chains ................................. 231Maintenance...................................... 232
Clearing the service indicator ...... 232
Service term exceeded ................ 233
Calling up the service indicator .... 233
Resetting the service indicator .... 233
Vehicle care....................................... 234
Cleaning and care of the vehicle .. 234
Practical hints................................. 241
What to do if … .................................. 242
Lamps in instrument cluster ........ 242
Additional indicators in the
speedometer display.................... 256
Where will I find ...? ........................... 257
First aid kit ................................... 257
Vehicle tool kit ............................. 257
Spare wheel (space-saver tire) ..... 259
Unlocking / locking in an emergency . 261
Unlocking the vehicle................... 261
Locking the vehicle ...................... 262
Changing batteries in the
remote control ............................. 262
Fuel filler flap ............................... 263
Manually unlocking the
transmission gear selector lever .. 264

27 At a glance
Center console
Center console
Upper part
Item
Page
1
Air vents, automatic
climate control
142
2
MCS, see separate
operating instructions
3
Automatic climate control
134
Rear window defroster
switch
133
4
Seat heater switch*,
passenger side
98
5
Rear quarter window
switch*, right
146
6
ESP control switch
80
Item
Page
7
Rear window
wiper / washer switch
51
8
Rear quarter window
switch*, left
146
9
Seat heater switch*,
driver’s side
98
a
Front and rear fog lamp
switch
111
b
Indicator lamp for antitheft
alarm system
83
c
Transmission control
switch, LOW RANGE mode
125