1997 MERCEDES-BENZ ML350 rear view mirror

71 Rear view mirrors
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Inside rear view mirrorUse your inside mirror to determine the size and
distance of objects seen in the passenger side convex
mirror.
Antiglare night position
Manual:
Tilt the mirror to the antiglare night position using the
lever (1) at its lower edge.

72 Rear view mirrors
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical 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 controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical 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:
1Left mirror
2Right 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 controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical 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 controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical 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.
1Press switch to fold mirror out
2Press switch to fold mirror inIf 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

110 Interior equipment
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Interior lighting
Lamps above instrument panel
Interior lamps above instrument panel are switched on,
and off (soft fade) delayed, when unlocking the vehicle,
or when opening a front door or closing front doors.
With doors closed, push on lamp lens to switch interior
lamps on or off.Reading lamps in inside rear view mirror
1Reading lamp, left
2Push button to switch left reading lamp on and off
3Push button to switch right reading lamp on and off
4Reading lamp, right
The reading lamps cannot be switched on and off by the
door contact switches.
RESETMODE

149 Tele Aid
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Important!
Always make sure that the indicator lamps in the
“SOS” button, the Roadside Assistance button• and
the Information button¡do not remain illuminated
constantly in red and the message “TELE AID – VISIT
WORKSHOP” is not displayed in the MCS display after
the system self check.
If a malfunction is indicated as outlined above, have the
system checked at the nearest Mercedes-Benz Light
Truck Center as soon as possible.
Emergency calls
An emergency call is initiated automatically:
•following an accident in which the Emergency
Tensioning Retractors (ETR’s) or airbags deploy,
•if the antitheft alarm or the tow away alarm stays on
for more than 20 seconds, see pages 35 and 36.
An emergency call can also be initiated manually by
opening the cover next to the inside rear view mirror
labeled “SOS”, then pressing the button (for longer than
2 seconds) located under the cover. See below for
instructions on initiating an emergency call manually.Once the emergency call is in progress, the indicator
lamp in the “SOS” button will begin to f lash. The
message “EMERGENCY CALL – CONNECTING CALL”
appears in the MCS display. When the connection is
established, the message “EMERGENCY CALL – CALL
CONNECTED” appears in the MCS display. All
information relevant to the emergency, such as the
location of the vehicle (determined by the GPS satellite
location system), vehicle model, identification number
and color are generated.
A voice connection between the Response Center and
the occupants of the vehicle will be established
automatically soon after the emergency call has been
initiated. When a voice connection is established the
audio system mutes and the message “TELE AID –
EMERGENCY CALL ACTIVE” appears in the MCS
display. The Response Center will attempt to determine
more precisely the nature of the accident provided they
can speak to an occupant of the vehicle.

194 Driving instructions
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Tow in g a t r ai le r
There are many different laws, including speed limit
restrictions, having to do with trailer towing. Make sure
t ha t your rig will be lega l, not only for w here you reside,
but also for where you will be driving. A good source for
this information can be the police or local authorities.
Before you start driving with the trailer, check the
trailer hitch, break-away switch, safety chains, electrical
connections, lighting and tires. Also adjust the mirrors
to permit unobstructed view beyond rear of trailer.
If the trailer has electric brakes, start your vehicle and
trailer moving slowly, and then apply only the trailer
brake controller by hand to be sure the brakes are
working properly.
When towing a trailer, check occasionally to be sure that
the load is secure, and that lighting and trailer brakes
(if so equipped) are functioning properly.
Always secure items in the trailer to prevent load shifts
while driving.
Take into consideration that when towing a trailer, the
handling characteristics are different and less stable
from those when operating the vehicle without a trailer.
It is important to avoid sudden maneuvers.The vehicle and trailer combination is heavier, and
therefore is limited in acceleration and climbing ability,
and requires longer stopping distances. It is more prone
to reacting to side wind gusts, and requires more
sensitive steering input.
In order to gain skill and an understanding of the
vehicle’s behavior, you should practice turning,
stopping and backing up in an area which is free from
traffic.
If possible, do not brake abruptly, but rather engage the
brake slightly at first to permit the trailer to activate its
brake. Then increase the braking force.
Caution!
If the trailer should begin to sway, reduce the vehicle’s
speed and use the brake controller by hand to straighten
out the vehicle and trailer. In no case should you
attempt to straighten out the tow vehicle and trailer by
increasing the speed or oversteering and stepping on
the brakes.
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.