1997 MERCEDES-BENZ ML430 park assist

175
Driving instructions
Te ch n ica l
data
Instruments
and controls Operation
Driving Instrument
cluster display Practical hints Car care Index
Power assistance
Brakes The condition of the parking brake system is checked
each time the vehicle is in the shop for the required
maintenance service.
If the parking brake is released and the brake warning
lamp in the instrument cluster stays on and there is no
audible warning (EBP), the brake fluid level in the
reservoir is too low.
Brake pad wear or a leak in the system may be the
reason for low brake f luid in the reservoir.
Have the brake system inspected at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center immediately.
All checks and service work on the brake system should
be carried out by an authorized Mercedes-Benz Light
Truck Center.
Install only brake pads and brake fluid recommended by
Mercedes-Benz.
Wa r n i n g !
When the engine is not running, the brake and
steering systems are without power assistance.
Under these circumstances, a much greater effort is
necessary to stop or steer the vehicle.Wa r n i n g !
After driving in heavy rain for some time without
applying the brakes or through water deep enough
to wet brake components, the first braking action
may be somewhat reduced and increased pedal
pressure may be necessary to obtain expected
braking effect. Be sure to maintain a safe distance
from vehicles in front.Resting your foot on the brake pedal will cause
excessive and premature wear of the brake pads.It can also result in the brakes overheating thereby
significantly reducing their effectiveness. It may
not be possible to stop the vehicle in sufficient time
to avoid an accident.
Wa r n i n g !
If other than recommended brake pads are
installed, or other than recommended brake fluid
is used, the braking properties of the vehicle can be
degraded to an extent that safe braking is
substantially impaired. This could result in an
accident.

307
Index
Te ch n ica l
data
Instruments
and controls Operation Driving
Instrument
cluster display Practical hints Car care
Index
OObtaining replacement keys .......................................... 25
Odometer/Trip odometer ................................................ 80
Off-Road driving ............................................................. 183
On-board diagnostic system ......................................... 218
Operator’s manual ............................................................. 8
Outside temperature indicator ...................................... 82
Overhead control panel ................................................... 21PPanic button ...................................................................... 28
Parking .............................................................................176
Parking brake ....................... 118, 173, 175, 176, 219, 245
Partition net .................................................................... 133
Poly-V-belt Layout .........................................................................286
Power assistance ............................................................ 175
Power seats, front ............................................................ 40 Memory ........................................................................ 42
Memory recalling ....................................................... 42
Memory storing ........................................................... 42 Power windows ...............................................................104
Blocking of rear door windows ............................... 105
Express opening of front door windows ................ 105
Problems with your vehicle ............................................ 15
Product information .......................................................... 7
RRadio transmitters ......................................................... 146
Rain sensor See windshield wiper/washer switch ......................95
Rear quarter windows ...................................................106
Rear seat bench ..............................................................120 Easy entry/exit feature ............................................123
Head restraints ..........................................................124
Rear seat head restraints ..............................................124 Adjusting ....................................................................125
Removal ......................................................................125
Rear view mirrors Exterior ......................................................................... 73
Inside ............................................................................ 71
Rear window defroster .................................................. 103
Rear window wiper/washer ...........................................96

Contents
Introduction.......................................... 9
Product information ................................ 9
Operator’s Manual ............................... 10
Service and warranty information .. 10
Important notice for California
retail buyers and lessees
of Mercedes-Benz automobiles ...... 11
Maintenance .................................. 12
Roadside Assistance ...................... 12
Change of address or ownership.... 13
Operating your vehicle outside
the USA or Canada......................... 13
Where to find it .................................... 15
Symbols ............................................... 16
Operating safety .................................. 17
Proper use of the vehicle ............... 17
Problems with your vehicle .................. 18
Reporting safety defects...................... 19
Reporting safety defects ................ 19
At a glance.......................................... 21
Cockpit ................................................. 22
Instrument cluster ................................ 24
Center console ..................................... 27
Upper part ...................................... 27
Lower part ...................................... 28
Overhead control panel ........................ 29Getting started................................... 31
Unlocking ............................................. 32
Remote control with folding key ..... 32
Adjusting .............................................. 34
Seats............................................... 34
Steering wheel ................................ 39
Mirrors ............................................ 40Driving .................................................. 42
Fastening the seat belts ................. 42
Starting the engine ......................... 46
Switching on headlamps ................. 48
Turn signals .................................... 49
Windshield wipers ........................... 49
Rear window wiper ......................... 51
Problems while driving.................... 51
Parking and locking .............................. 53
Parking brake ................................. 53
Switching off headlamps................. 54
Turning off engine ........................... 54

Contents
Transmission control –
LOW RANGE mode............................. 125
Switching on LOW RANGE mode.. 125
Switching off LOW RANGE mode . 125
Good visibility .................................... 126
Rear view mirror........................... 126
Electrically folding exterior
rear view mirrors .......................... 128
Windshield wipers ........................ 129
Headlamp cleaning system* ........ 131
Rear window wiper ....................... 131
Sun visor ...................................... 132
Rear window defroster ................. 133
Automatic climate control ................. 134
Automatic mode........................... 137
Adjusting air volume and
air distribution manually............... 137
Defrosting .................................... 138
Air recirculation mode.................. 138
Air conditioning ............................ 139
Residual heat and ventilation ....... 140
Rear passenger compartment
ventilation and rear automatic
climate control ............................. 141
Front and rear air vents................ 142Power windows .................................. 144
Opening and closing
the side windows .......................... 144
Synchronizing power windows ...... 146
Rear quarter windows* ................. 146
Sliding / pop-up roof* ......................... 148
Opening and closing the
sliding / pop-up roof ...................... 148
Synchronizing the
sliding / pop-up roof ...................... 149
Driving systems .................................. 150
Cruise control ............................... 150
Parktronic system*
(Parking assist) ............................. 153
Loading............................................... 157
Loading instructions ..................... 157
Partition net* ................................ 159
Cargo area cover blind* ................ 161
Cargo floor plates ......................... 162
Roof rack* .................................... 163Useful features ................................... 164
Interior storage spaces ................. 164
Cup holders .................................. 166
Armrest in rear seat bench ........... 167
Ashtrays and cigarette lighter ....... 168
Electrical outlet............................. 170
Telephone* ................................... 170
Tele Aid* ....................................... 171
Garage door opener ...................... 180
Trip computer* ............................. 186

ContentsOperation......................................... 191
The first 1000 miles (1500 km) ......... 192
Driving instructions ............................ 193
Drive sensibly – save fuel ............. 193
Drinking and driving ..................... 193
Pedals .......................................... 193
Power assistance ......................... 193
Brakes .......................................... 194
Driving off..................................... 195
Parking ......................................... 196
Tires ............................................. 196
Hydroplaning ................................ 197
Tire traction .................................. 197
Tire speed rating .......................... 198
Winter driving instructions ........... 198
Standing water ............................. 200
Off-road driving ............................ 200
Trailer towing ............................... 206
Passenger compartment .............. 211
Driving abroad .............................. 211
Control and operation of
radio transmitters......................... 211
Catalytic converter ....................... 212
Emission control........................... 212
Coolant temperature .................... 213At the gas station .............................. 214
Refueling ...................................... 214
Check regularly and before
a long trip ..................................... 215
Engine compartment ......................... 217
Hood ............................................ 217
Engine oil ..................................... 218
Transmission fluid level ................ 222
Coolant ........................................ 222
Battery ......................................... 223
Windshield washer system and
headlamp cleaning system* ......... 224
Tires and wheels ................................ 226
Important guidelines .................... 226
Life of tire..................................... 227
Direction of rotation ..................... 227
Checking tire inflation pressure ... 227
Rotating wheels ........................... 228
Winter driving .................................... 230
Winter tires .................................. 230
Block heater (Canada only) .......... 231
Snow chains ................................. 231Maintenance...................................... 232
Clearing the service indicator ...... 232
Service term exceeded ................ 233
Calling up the service indicator .... 233
Resetting the service indicator .... 233
Vehicle care....................................... 234
Cleaning and care of the vehicle .. 234
Practical hints................................. 241
What to do if … .................................. 242
Lamps in instrument cluster ........ 242
Additional indicators in the
speedometer display.................... 256
Where will I find ...? ........................... 257
First aid kit ................................... 257
Vehicle tool kit ............................. 257
Spare wheel (space-saver tire) ..... 259
Unlocking / locking in an emergency . 261
Unlocking the vehicle................... 261
Locking the vehicle ...................... 262
Changing batteries in the
remote control ............................. 262
Fuel filler flap ............................... 263
Manually unlocking the
transmission gear selector lever .. 264

53 Getting started
Parking and locking
Parking and locking
You have now completed your first drive.
You have properly stopped and parked
your vehicle. End your drive as follows.
Parking brake
1Parking brake
2Release handle
Step firmly on parking brake1.
When the engine is running, the indica-
tor lampÉ in the instrument cluster
will be illuminated.
Warning!
G
Wait until the vehicle is stationary before re-
moving the key from the steering lock. The
vehicle cannot be steered when the key is
removed.Warning!
G
With the engine not running, there is no
power assistance for the brake and steering
system. In this case, it is important to keep
in mind that a considerably higher degree of
effort is necessary to brake and steer the
vehicle.
Warning!
G
Do not park this vehicle in areas where com-
bustible materials such as grass, hay or
leaves can come into contact with the hot
exhaust system, as these materials could be
ignited and cause a vehicle fire.
To reduce the risk of personal injury as a re-
sult of vehicle movement, before turning off
the engine and leaving the vehicle always:

Keep right foot on brake pedal.


Firmly depress parking brake pedal.


Move the gear selector lever to
positionP.


Slowly release brake pedal.


When parked on an incline, turn front
wheel towards the road curb.


Turn the key to starter switch position0
and remove.


Take the key and lock vehicle when leav-
ing.

81 Safety and Security
Driving and safety systems
LOW RANGE – ESP
During off-road driving, a special low range
system for the ESP is operational with
transmission in LOW RANGE mode
(page 125).
In the LOW RANGE mode, the ESP ope-
rates in a traction improving fashion spe-
cifically adapted for off-road driving. At
speeds below 27 mph (45 km / h), the ESP
assists in over- / understeering, thus im-
proving vehicle traction.Switching off the ESP
To improve the vehicle’s traction, turn off
the ESP in driving situations where it would
be advantageous to have the drive wheels
spin and thus cut into surfaces for better
grip such as:


starting out on slippery surfaces and in
deep snow in conjunction with snow
chains


in sand or gravel


when driving off-road
Warning!
G
The ESP cannot prevent the natural laws of
physics from acting on the vehicle, nor can
it increase the traction afforded. The ESP
cannot prevent accidents, including those
resulting from excessive speed in turns, fol-
lowing another vehicle too closely, or hydro-
planing. Only a safe, attentive, and skillful
driver can prevent accidents. The capabili-
ties of an ESP equipped vehicle must never
be exploited in a reckless or dangerous
manner which could jeopardize the user’s
safety or the safety of others.
!Because of the ESP’s automatic opera-
tion, the engine must be shut off
(SmartKey in starter switch position0
or1) when the parking brake is being
tested on a brake test dynamometer.
Active braking action through ESP may
otherwise seriously damage the front
or rear axle brake system.
Operational tests with the engine
running can only be conducted on a
two-axle dynamometer.
Warning!
G
The ESP should not be switched off during
normal driving other than in the circum-
stances described below. Disabling of the
system will reduce vehicle stability in stan-
dard driving maneuvers.

150 Controls in detailDriving systems
Driving systemsThe driving systems of your vehicle are de-
scribed on the following pages:

Cruise control, with which the vehicle
can maintain a preset speed.


Parktronic*, with which you can assist
your parking maneuvers.
The driving systems BAS, ABS, ESP, EBB
and 4-ETS, are described in the “Safety
and Security” section (
page 76).
Cruise control
Cruise control automatically maintains the
speed you set for your vehicle.
Use of cruise control is recommended for
driving at a constant speed for extended
periods of time. You can set or resume
cruise control at any speed over 20 mph
(30 km / h).
The cruise control function is operated by
means of the cruise control lever.
The cruise control lever is the uppermost
lever found on the left-hand side of the
steering column (
page 23).
Warning!
G
Cruise control is a convenience system de-
signed to assist the driver during vehicle op-
eration. The driver is and must remain
responsible for the vehicle speed and for
safe brake operation.
Only use cruise control if the road, traffic
and weather conditions make it advisable to
travel at a steady speed.

The use of cruise control can be danger-
ous on winding roads or in heavy traffic
because conditions do not allow safe
driving at a steady speed.


The use of cruise control can be danger-
ous on slippery roads. Rapid changes in
tire traction can result in wheel spin and
loss of control.


Deactivate cruise control when driving
in fog.
The “Resume” function should only be oper-
ated if the driver is fully aware of the previ-
ously set speed and wishes to resume this
particular preset speed.