1997 MERCEDES-BENZ ML320 parking brake

2 Contents
Fog lamp switch
(except Canada) ........................... 92
Fog lamp switch
(Canada only) .............................. 93
Hazard warning flasher
switch ............................................ 94
Headlamp cleaning system ............ 94
Windshield wiper/washer
switch ............................................ 95
Rear window wiper/washer ........... 96
Climate control ................................. 98
Basic setting – Heater ............... 100
Basic setting –
Air conditioner ........................... 100
Special setting ............................ 101
Dust filter .................................... 102
Air recirculation ......................... 102
Rear window defroster .............. 103
Power windows ............................... 104
Rear quarter windows ................... 106
Sliding/pop-up roof ....................... 107
Skyview Top .................................... 109
Interior lighting ..............................110
Sun visors ........................................113Illuminated vanity mirrors ........... 113
Interior ............................................. 114
Storage compartments,
armrest and cup holder ............ 114
Glove box ...................................... 115
Armrest in rear bench seat ........... 117
Ashtrays ........................................... 118
Lighter .............................................. 119
Split rear seat bench ..................... 120
Easy entry/exit feature ............. 123
Rear seat head restraints ......... 124
Third row seats .............................. 126
Removable cargo floor plates ...... 129
Enlarged cargo area .......................131
Cargo tie-down rings .....................132
Hooks ...............................................133
Partition net ....................................133
Loading instructions ......................136
Cargo area cover blind ..................137
Telephone, general .........................139
Cellular telephone ..........................139
Garage door opener ....................... 140
DrivingControl and operation of
radio transmitters ..................... 146
The first 1 000 miles
(1 500 km) ................................. 147
Maintenance ................................... 147
Tele Aid ........................................... 148
Catalytic converter ........................ 160
Emission control ............................ 161
Steering lock ................................... 162
Starting and turning off
the engine .................................. 164
Automatic transmission ............... 165
Parking brake ................................. 173
Driving instructions ...................... 174
Drive sensibly – save fuel ......... 174
Drinking and driving ................. 174
Pedals ........................................... 174
Power assistance ........................ 175
Brakes .......................................... 175
Driving off ................................... 176
Parking ........................................ 176
Tires ............................................. 177

19 Instruments and controls
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index For more detailed descriptions see index on page 300.
For adjustment of air outlets, refer to climate control,
see page 98.
1Cup holder, see page 114
2Parking brake release, see page 173
3Parking brake pedal, see page 173
4Steering wheel adjustment lever, see page 70
5Headlamp washer switch, see page 94
6Exterior lamp switch, see page 90
7Cruise control switch, see page 196
8Instrument cluster, see page 76
9Hazard warning flasher switch, see page 94
10Horn (with key in steering lock position 1 or 2),
Driver airbag, see page 56
11Steering lock with ignition / starter switch, see
page 162
12Switch for exterior rear view mirrors, electrically
folding, see page 75
13Windshield wiper / washer switch, see page 9514Transmission control – LOW RANGE mode, see
page 209
15Indicator lamp for antitheft alarm system
16Auxiliary front fog lamp / rear fog lamp switch, see
page 92
17MCS (Optional Modular Control System), see
separate operator’s manual
18Front passenger airbag, see page 56
19Glove box (illuminated with key in steering lock
position 1 or 2)
20Cup holder, see page 114
21Storage compartment
22Air recirculation switch, see page 98
23Air conditioner on /off switch, see page 98
24Air volume control switch
25Temperature selector switch
26Air distribution switch
27Electrical outlet, see page 230

78 Instrument cluster
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical 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 221ESP 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

118 Interior equipment
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Ashtrays
Center console, front
By touching the top of the cover lightly, the ashtray
opens automatically.
To remove ashtray: Pull up and remove ashtray insert.Rear passenger compartment
Pull to open.
To remove ashtray:
Open ashtray (1) and pull out the ashtray insert.
Wa r n i n g !
Remove front ashtray only with vehicle standing
still. Turn off the engine and set the parking brake.
Otherwise the vehicle might move as a result of
unintended contact with the gear selector lever.

145 Contents - Driving
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
DrivingControl and operation of
radio transmitters ..................... 146
The first 1 000 miles
(1 500 km) ................................. 147
Maintenance ................................... 147
Tele Aid ........................................... 148
Catalytic converter ........................ 160
Emission control ............................ 161
Steering lock ................................... 162
Starting and turning off
the engine .................................. 164
Automatic transmission ............... 165
Parking brake ................................. 173Driving instructions .......................174
Drive sensibly – save fuel .........174
Drinking and driving .................174
Pedals ...........................................174
Power assistance ........................ 175
Brakes .......................................... 175
Driving off .................................... 176
Parking ......................................... 176
Tires ............................................. 177
Snow chains ............................... 179
Winter driving instructions ......180
Deep water ...................................181
Passenger compartment ............182
Traveling abroad .........................182Off-Road driving ............................. 183
Trailer towing ................................. 190
Cruise control ................................. 196
Brake assist system (BAS) ............ 199
Antilock brake system (ABS) ....... 201
Four-wheel electronic
traction system (4-ETS+) ..........203
Electronic brake
proportioning (EBP) ..................204
Electronic stability program
(ESP) ...........................................205
Transmission control –
LOW RANGE mode ...................209
What you should know
at the gas station ....................... 212
Check regularly and
before a long trip ...................... 215

164 Starting and turning off the engine
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical 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
messagesÁ 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”.

165 Automatic transmission
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Automatic transmissionThe automatic transmission selects individual gears
automatically, dependent upon
•Selector lever position
•Accelerator position
•Vehicle speed
The gear shifting process is continuously adapted,
dependent on the driving style, the driving situation
and the road characteristics.
Important!
When parking the vehicle or before working on the
vehicle with the engine running, firmly depress the
parking brake pedal and shift the selector lever into “P”.

167 Automatic transmission
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Maneuvering
To maneuver in tight areas, e.g. when pulling into a
parking space, control the vehicle speed by gradually
releasing the brakes. Accelerate gently and never
abruptly step on the accelerator.
To rock a vehicle out of soft ground (mud or snow),
alternately shift from forward to reverse, while applying
slight partial throttle.
Rocking a vehicle free in this manner may cause the
ABS or traction system malfunction indicator lamp to
come on. Turn off and restart the engine to clear the
malfunction indication.Towing a trailer
If the transmission hunts between gears on inclines,
manually shift to a lower gear (select “4”, “3”, “2”
or “1”). A lower gear and reduction of speed reduces the
chance of engine overloading and / or overheating.
At very steep inclines, not manageable with selector
lever in position “1”, switch transfer case to LOW
RANGE, see page 209 for instructions on how to engage
LOW RANGE.
For instructions on trailer towing refer to page 190.
Wa r n i n g !
Getting out of your vehicle with the selector lever
not fully engaged in position “P” is dangerous.
Also, when parked on an incline, position “P” alone
may not prevent your vehicle from moving,
possibly hitting people or objects.Always set the parking brake in addition to shifting
to position “P”, see page 173 for parking brake. When parked on an incline, also turn front wheel
against curb.
Wa r n i n g !
When leaving the vehicle always remove the key
from the steering lock, and lock the vehicle. Do not
leave children unattended in the vehicle, or with
access to an unlocked vehicle. Children could move
the gear selector lever from position “P”, which
could result in an accident or serious injury.