1997 MERCEDES-BENZ ML350 weight

133 Interior equipment
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and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Hooks
Four hooks, located on the rear compartment trim
panels can be used to secure light weight items
(maximum permissible weight per hook: 9 lbs. [4 kg]).Partiti on net (Optional)
Use of the partition net is a particularly important safety
factor when the vehicle is loaded higher than the top of
the seat backrests with smaller objects.
The partition net can be installed behind the backrests
of the front or rear seats.
Note:
Passenger use of seats behind installed partition net is
restricted because of the footwell being taken up by the
net.

136 Interior equipment
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Loading instructions
The total load weight including vehicle occupants and
luggage / cargo should not exceed the vehicle capacity
weight indicated on the certification label which can be
found on the left door pillar.
The handling characteristics of a fully loaded vehicle
depend greatly on the load distribution. It is therefore
recommended to load the vehicle according to the
illustrations shown, with the heaviest items being
placed towards the front of the vehicle.Always place items being carried against front or rear
seat backrests, and fasten them as securely as possible.
The heaviest portion of the cargo should always be kept
as low as possible against front or rear seat backrest
since it influences the handling characteristics of the
vehicle.
For additional safety when transporting cargo while the
rear seats are unoccupied, fasten the outer seat belts
crosswise into the opposite side buckles.

137 Interior equipment
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data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Notes:
The trunk is the preferred place to carry objects. The
enlarged cargo area should only be used for items which
do not fit in the trunk alone.Cargo area cover blind
Closing blind:
Pull blind (visual protection) across luggage / cargo area,
and guide into holders (1) next to liftgate.
Opening blind:
To roll up blind, disengage blind and guide retraction by
its handle.
Wa r n i n g !
Always fasten items being carried as securely as
possible using cargo tie-down rings and fastening
materials appropriate for the weight and size of the
load.In an accident, during hard braking or sudden
maneuvers, loose items will be thrown around
inside the vehicle, and can cause injury to vehicle
occupants unless the items are securely fastened in
the vehicle.To help avoid personal injury during a collision or
sudden maneuver, always use partition net when
transporting cargo.
Never drive vehicle with the liftgate open. Deadly
carbon monoxide (CO) gases may enter vehicle
interior resulting in unconsciousness and death.

185 Driving instructions
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Driving on embankments, slopes and other steep
inclines should only be done straight up or downhill, i.e.
in the line of gravity.
Do not drive along the side of a slope (danger of vehicle
rollover). If in doing so, the vehicle begins to show a
tendency to roll, immediately steer into a line of gravity
(straight up or downhill).
To help avoid the vehicle rolling over, never turn it
around on steep inclines. If the vehicle cannot complete
the attempted climb, back it down in reverse gear.
Utilize the engine’s braking power when descending a
slope, observe the engine speed (do not overrev the
engine). Apply the service brake as needed.
Check the brakes after a lengthy downgrade drive.
Notes:
Avoid excessive engine speeds – drive with moderate
engine speeds (max. 3000 RPM).
Select gear range “2” or “1” on the automatic
transmission, see page 165.Traction in steep terrain:
Be easy on the accelerator and watch for continuous
wheel traction when driving in steep terrain.
The 4-ETS+ helps greatly when starting out on a steep
incline. The front wheels have then the tendency to slip
due to the weight reduction over the front axle. The ETS
recognizes the situation and limits the torque for the
front wheels by braking them. Simultaneously the
torque for the rear wheels is increased.
See page 203 for four wheel electronic traction system
(4-ETS+).
Driving across a hilltop:
To prevent the vehicle from speeding up too much after
climbing a hill, decelerate just ahead of a hilltop (do not
select gear range “N”). Use the momentum of the
vehicle to drive across the hilltop. Driving in this
manner prevents the vehicle from jumping across the
hilltop and thus loosing its forward momentum.

191 Driving instructions
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data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Electrical connections
The vehicle is prewired to accept the seven-wire harness
included in the Mercedes-Benz approved trailer hitch
receiver kit. An additional four-pole conversion plug is
included in the Mercedes-Benz supplied trailer hitch
receiver kit. For further information, please see your
authorized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center.
In order to prevent possible damage to the vehicle’s
electrical system by incorrectly installing the trailer
wiring plug, we recommend having the harness
connected at an authorized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck
Center.Vehicle and trailer weights and ratings
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) is the maximum
permissible vehicle weight: 6005 lbs. (2724 kg)
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW): comprises weight of
vehicle including fuel, tools, spare wheel, installed
accessories, passengers, cargo and trailer tongue. It
must never exceed the GVWR.
Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) is the maximum
permissible axle weight:
Gross Trailer Weight (GTW) is the maximum
permissible trailer weight to be towed:
5000 lbs. (2260 kg)
Trailer Tongue Weight Rating (TWR) is the maximum
permissible weight of the trailer tongue:
[500 lbs. (225 kg) limit for MB approved hitch receiver] front
rear2755 lbs.
3527 lbs.(1250 kg)
(1600 kg)

192 Driving instructions
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Loading a trailer
When loading a trailer, you should observe that neither
the permissible GTW, nor the GVWR are exceeded.
Maximum permissible values are listed on the safety
compliance certification labels for the vehicle and for
the trailer to be towed. The lowest value listed must be
selected when determining how the vehicle and trailer
are loaded.
We recommend loading the trailer in such a manner
that it has a tongue weight (TW) between 10% and 15%
of the GTW.
The tongue weight at the hitch ball must be added to the
GVW to prevent exceeding your Mercedes-Benz tow
vehicle’s rear GAWR.Checking weights of vehicle and trailer
To assure that the tow vehicle and trailer are in
compliance with the maximum permissible weight
limits, and to know the actual weights, have the loaded
rig (tow vehicle including driver, passengers and cargo,
trailer fully loaded) weighed on a commercial scale.
Check the vehicle’s front and rear Gross Axle Weight
(GAW), the GTW and TW. The values as measured must
not be exceeded, according to the weight listed under
“Vehicle and trailer weight and ratings”.

193 Driving instructions
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Attaching a trailer
Please observe maximum permitted trailer dimensions
(width and length).
Most states and all Canadian provinces require safety
chains between your tow vehicle and the trailer. The
chains should be crisscrossed under the trailer tongue.
They must be attached to the hitch receiver, and not to
the vehicle’s bumper or axle. Be sure to leave enough
slack in the chains to permit turning corners.
Most states and all Canadian provinces require a
separate brake system at various trailer weights.Caution!
Do not connect a trailer brake system (if trailer is so
equipped) directly to the vehicle’s hydraulic brake
system, as your vehicle is equipped with antilock
brakes. If you do, neither the vehicle’s brakes nor the
trailer’s brakes will function properly.
The provided vehicle electrical wiring harness for trailer
towing has a brake signal wire (color orange) for
hook-up to a brake controller.
Most states and all Canadian provinces require a
break-away switch on trailers with a separate brake
system. The switch activates the trailer brakes in the
possible event that the trailer might separate from the
tow vehicle.
You should consider using a trailer sway control system.
For further information see your authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center.

230 Electrical outlet
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data Instruments
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cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index
Electrical outlet
Two electrical outlets can be found, one at the front
passenger footwell, and the other in the rear
compartment (always operational).To o p e n :
Flip up cover and insert electrical plug (cigar lighter
type).
Note:
The electrical outlets can be used to accommodate
accessories (e.g. air pump, auxiliary lamps) up to
maximum 180 W.
Stowing things in the vehicle
Wa r n i n g !
To help avoid personal injury during a collision or
sudden maneuver, always use partition net when
transporting cargo. Always fasten items being
carried as securely as possible using cargo tie-
down rings and fastening materials appropriate for
the weight and size of the load.