1997 MERCEDES-BENZ ML350 light

12
Introduction
We continuously strive to improve our product, and ask for your understanding that we reserve the right to make
changes in design and equipment. Therefore, information, illustrations and descriptions in this Operator’s Manual
might differ from your vehicle.
Optional equipment is also described in this manual, including operating instructions wherever necessary. Since they
are special-order items, the descriptions and illustrations herein may vary slightly from the actual equipment of your
vehicle.
If there are any equipment details that are not shown or described in this Operator’s Manual, your authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center will be glad to inform you of correct care and operating procedures.
The Operator’s Manual and Service Booklet are important documents and should be kept with the vehicle.

15
Introduction
Problems with your vehicle
If you should experience a problem with your vehicle, particularly one that you believe may affect
its safe operation, we urge you to immediately contact your authorized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck
Center to have the problem diagnosed and corrected if required. If the matter is not handled to
your satisfaction, please discuss the problem with the Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center
management, or if necessary contact us at the following addresses:
In the USA: Client Assistance Center Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC
One Mercedes Drive
Montvale, NJ 07645-0350
In Canada: Customer Relations Department Mercedes-Benz Canada, Inc.
849 Eglinton Avenue East
Toronto, Ontario, M4G 2L5

20
Instruments and controls
Te ch n ica l
data
Instruments
and controls Operation Driving
Instrument
cluster display Practical hints Car care Index
Center console 1Left front seat heater switch, see page 44
2 Switch for rear quarter window, left, see page 106
3 Switch for rear window washer /wiper, see page 96
4 ESP control switch, see page 207
5 Switch for rear quarter window, right, see page 106
6 Right front seat heater switch, see page 44
7 Storage compartment
8 Selector lever, see page 165
9 Ashtray with lighter, see page 118
10 Power window switch, left front door, see page 104
11 Central locking switch, see page 32
12 Rear window defroster switch, see page 103
13 Power window switch, right front door, see page 104
14 Power window switch, left rear door, see page 104
15 Mirror adjustment switch, see page 73
16 Power window safety switch, rear doors, see
page 104
17 Power window switch, right rear door, see page 104

21
Instruments and controls
Te ch n ica l
data
Instruments
and controls Operation Driving
Instrument
cluster display Practical hints Car care Index
Overhead control panel
1Interior lighting, see page 110
2 Garage door opener, see page 140
3 Hands-free microphone for Tele Aid, telephone and
voice recognition system
4 Tele Aid (emergency call system), see page 148
5 Sliding /pop-up roof, see page 107
Skyview Top, see page 109
6 Rear view mirror, see page 71
Reading lamps inside rear view mirror, see page 110
1
2
3
4
5
6
1

23
Contents - Operation
Te ch n ica l
data
Instruments
and controls Operation
Driving Instrument
cluster display Practical hints Car care Index
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 ........................................113 Illuminated 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

25
Central locking system
Te ch n ica l
data
Instruments
and controls Operation
Driving Instrument
cluster display Practical hints Car care Index
Reserve key
The reserve key fits all locks on the vehicle.
For notes on the mechanical keys refer to page 29.
Note:
We recommend that you carry the reserve key with you
and keep it in a safe place (e.g. your wallet) so that it is
always handy. Never leave the reserve key in the
vehicle. Obtaining replacement keys
Your vehicle is equipped with a theft deterrent locking
system requiring a special key manufacturing process.
For security reasons, replacement keys can only be
obtained from your authorized Mercedes-Benz Light
Truck Center.
Start lock-out
Important!
Removing the key from the steering lock activates the
start lock-out. The engine cannot be started.
Turning the key in the steering lock to position 2
deactivates the start lock-out.
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).

28
Central locking system
Te ch n ica l
data
Instruments
and controls Operation
Driving Instrument
cluster display Practical hints Car care Index
Locking:
Press transmit button ‹ once. All turn signal lamps
blink three times to indicate that the vehicle is locked
and the antitheft alarm is activated.
Notes:
If the turn signal lamps do not blink three times when
locking the vehicle, a door, the liftgate, or the hood is
not properly closed. Close the respective element and
lock the vehicle again with the remote control.
If the vehicle cannot be locked or unlocked by pressing
the transmit button, then it may be necessary to change
the batteries in the remote control or to synchronize the
remote control, see page 270 and page 271.
Unlocking the liftgate
Press transmit button Š to unlock the liftgate. This
also deactivates the antitheft alarm.
Important!
A minimum height clearance of 7 ft. (2.15 m) is
required to open the liftgate. Panic button
To activate press and hold button (1) for at least one
second. An audible alarm and blinking turn signal
lamps will operate for approximately 3 minutes.
Additionally the interior lights switch on automatically
for approximately 3 minutes.
To deactivate press button (1) again, or press transmit
button ‹, Œ orŠ on the remote control, or
turn key in steering lock to position 1.

33
Central locking system
Te ch n ica l
data
Instruments
and controls Operation
Driving Instrument
cluster display Practical hints Car care Index
Notes:
If doors are unlocked with the central locking switch
after activating the automatic central locking, and
neither door is opened, then the doors remain unlocked
even at vehicle speeds of approximately 9 mph
(15 km / h) or more.
If a door is opened from the inside at speeds of
approximately 9mph (15km/h) or less with the
automatic central locking activated, the door will again
be automatically locked at speeds of approximately
9 mph (15 km / h) or more.
Important!
When towing the vehicle, or with the vehicle on a
dynamometer test stand, please, note the following:
With the engine running, the vehicle doors will lock if
the left front wheel spins at vehicle speeds of
approximately 9 mph (15 km / h) or more.
To prevent vehicle door locks from locking, deactivate
the automatic central locking. Emergency unlocking in case of accident
The doors unlock automatically a short time after an
accident in which an airbag or emergency tensioning
retractor deploys (this is intended to aid rescue and
exit). However, the key must still be in the steering lock
position 1 or 2.
Additionally the hazard warning flashers turn on
automatically and the interior lights switch on for
approximately 30 minutes.