1997 MERCEDES-BENZ ML430 instrument panel

90 Exterior lamp switch
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cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Exterior lamp switch
Rotate switch $ to positions:
DOff
CParking lamps (also side marker lamps, taillamps,
license plate lamps, instrument panel lamps)
Canada only: When the engine is running, the low
beam is additionally switched on.
õParking lamps plus low beam or high beam
headlamps (switch pushed forward)ƒStanding lamps, left or right side (depending on
turn signal switch position). Turn key in steering
lock to position 0 or remove.
Standing lamps, left – move stalk to position (5).
Standing lamps, right – move stalk to position (4).
Move stalk to positions:
1Low beam (exterior lamp switch position õ)
2High beam (exterior lamp switch position õ)
3High beam flasher (high beam available
independent of exterior lamp switch position)
4Turn signals, right
5Turn signals, left
To signal minor directional changes, such as changing
lanes on a h ig hway, m ove exterior la mp sw itch b rief ly to
the point of resistance only and release. The turn
signals blink three times.
To operate the turn signals continuously, move the
exterior lamp switch past the point of resistance (up or
down). The switch is automatically canceled when the
steering wheel is turned to a large enough degree.

94 Hazard warning flasher
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Hazard warning flasher switch
The hazard warning flasher switch is located on top of
the steering column.
The hazard warning flasher can be activated either
manually via the switch located in the dashboard, or it
is activated automatically at the time an airbag is
deployed.
To activate hazard warning flasher, press switch once.
To deactivate, press switch again.
If hazard warning flasher was activated automatically,
press switch twice to deactivate.
Note:
To signal turns while being towed with hazard warning
flasher in use, turn key in steering lock to position 2
and activate combination switch for left or right turn
signal in usual manner. Now deactivate the hazard
warning flasher, only the selected turn signal will
operate. Upon canceling the turn signal, the hazard
warning flasher must be activated again.Headlamp cleaning system
(with Xenon headlamps)
The switch is located in the instrument panel behind the
steering wheel.
The headlamp washer can be activated with the key in
steering lock position 2.
Briefly press symbol side of switch.

96 Rear window wiper/washer
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Rear window wiper/washer
The rear window wiper / washer switch is located in the
instrument panel.With key in steering lock position 2:
1Press for interval wiping,
2Press to switch off,
or
press briefly for approx. 5 seconds wiper operation,
or
press and hold for simultaneous operation of wiper
and washer. After releasing the switch the wiper
operates for additional 5 seconds.
The rear window wiper will also automatically engage if
the windshield wiper is engaged and the gear selector
lever is placed in “R” Reverse.
12

99 Climate control
Te ch n ica l
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cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index 1Air volume control switch
2Temperature selector switch
3Air distribution switch
4Air recirculation
5Air conditioning mode
6Air volume control for center air outlets,
turn wheel up to open.
7Air volume control for side air outlet,
turn wheel up to open.
8Center air outlets, adjustable
9Side air outlets, adjustable
10Windshield air outlets
11Floor outlets
The air conditioning mode only operates with the œ
button pushed, the air volume control switch set to
position 1 to 4, and the engine running.To quickly cool down the passenger compartment, turn
temperature selector switch fully to the left to
positionO. Turn temperature selector to maintain
desired temperature.
The air conditioning mode removes considerable
moisture from the air during operation in the cooling
mode. It is normal for water to drip on the ground
through ducts in the underbody.
Important!
This vehicle is equipped with an air conditioner system
that uses R–134a (HFC: hydrof luorocarbon) as a
refrigerant. Repairs should always be performed by a
qualified technician, and refrigerant should be collected
in a recovery system for recycling.
Note:
For the air flow-through system to function properly, the
air vents, located in the left and right side rear
passenger compartment trim panel covers, should be
ke pt un obst ru cte d .

110 Interior equipment
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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

116 Interior equipment
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Storage compartment under front passenger seat
(standard; optional on model ML 320)
The storage compartment under the front passenger
seat is lockable with its separate key (1).
Note:
Slide seat rearward to gain easier access to the storage
compartment.Cup holder in instrument panel
Touch top of cover. The cup holder (1) opens
automatically.
Caution!
Keep cup holder closed while traveling. Place only
containers that fit into the cup holder to prevent spills.
Do not fill containers to a height where the contents
could spill during vehicle maneuvers, especially hot
liquids.

133 Interior equipment
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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.

152 Tele Aid
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Roadside Assistance button •
Located in the overhead control panel is the Roadside
Assistance button•. Briefly press on cover (3) – the
cover will open.
Pressing and holding the Roadside Assistance
button• (for longer than 2 seconds) will initiate a
call to a Mercedes-Benz Roadside Assistance dispatcher.
The button will flash while the call is in progress. The
message “ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE – CONNECTING
CALL” appears in the MCS display.
Wa r n i n g !
If you feel at any way in jeopardy when in the
vehicle (e.g. smoke or fire in the vehicle, vehicle in
a dangerous road location), please do not wait for
voice contact after you have pressed the emergency
button. Carefully leave the vehicle and move to a
safe location. The Response Center will
automatically contact local emergency officials
with the vehicle’s approximate location if they
receive an automatic “SOS” signal and cannot make
voice contact with the vehicle occupants.

RESET
MODE
3