1997 MERCEDES-BENZ ML430 mirror controls

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.

280 Cleaning and care of the vehicle
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data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar careIndex
Engine cleaning
Prior to cleaning the engine compartment make sure to
protect electrical components and connectors from the
intrusion of water and cleaning agents.
Corrosion protection, such as MB Anticorrosion Wax
should be applied to the engine compartment after
every engine cleaning. Before applying, all control
linkage bushings and joints should be lubricated. The
poly-V-belt and all pulleys should be protected from any
wax.
Ve h i c l e w a s h i n g
Do not use hot water or wash your vehicle in direct
sunlight. Use only a mild car wash detergent, such as
Mercedes-Benz approved Car Shampoo.
Thoroughly spray the vehicle with a diffused jet of
water. Direct only a very weak spray towards the
ventilation intake. Use plenty of water and rinse the
sponge and chamois frequently.
Rinse with clear water and thoroughly wipe dry with a
chamois. Do not allow cleaning agents to dry on the
finish.Due to the width of the vehicle, prior to running the
vehicle through an automatic car wash, fold back the
outside mirrors to prevent them from getting damaged.
In the winter, thoroughly remove all traces of road salt
as soon as possible.
When washing the underbody, do not forget to clean the
inner sides of the wheels.
Ornamental moldings
For regular cleaning and care of very dirty chrome-
plated parts, use a chrome cleaner.
Headlamps, taillamps, turn signal lenses
Use a mild car wash detergent, such as Mercedes-Benz
approved Car Shampoo, with plenty of water.
To prevent scratches, never apply strong force and use
only a soft, non-scratchy cloth when cleaning the lenses.
Do not attempt to wipe dirty lenses with a dry cloth or
sponge.

303 Index
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car careIndex Emission control label ..................................................285
Engine compartment ..................................................... 231
Engine malfunction
CHECK ENGINE malfunction indicator lamp ....... 218
Engine oil additives .......................................................294
Engine oil consumption ................................................234
Engine oil level
Checking ............................................................. 89, 233
Warning ......................................................................224
Engine oil level indicator ................................................ 89
Engine oils ......................................................................294
Capacities ...................................................................292
Low engine oil level warning ..................................224
Engine overheating ......................................................... 81
Engine speed limit
Overrevving ................................................................. 82
Enlarged cargo area ....................................................... 131
Entrance lamps ...............................................................112
ESP
LOW RANGE — ESP ..................................................208
ESP (Electronic stability program) ..............................205
Control switch ...........................................................207
Malfunction indicator lamp ..................................... 221
Synchronizing ...........................................................206
Warning lamp ............................................................ 221ETR (Emergency tensioning retractor) .........................55
ETS (4-ETS+) .................................................................. 203
LOW RANGE – 4-ETS+ ............................................ 204
Exterior lamp switch .......................................................90
Exterior lamps ............................................................... 260
Adjusting headlamp aim ......................................... 268
Auxiliary fog lamp ............................................. 92, 264
Fog lamps .....................................................................93
Headlamp assembly ......................................... 261, 262
Headlamps .................................90, 261, 262, 268, 280
High mounted stop lamp ......................................... 267
License plate lamps ................................................. 267
Low and high beam ............................................90, 263
Parking lamp ...................................................... 90, 264
Replacing bulbs ........................................................ 260
Side marker lamp ..................................................... 264
Standing lamp .....................................................90, 264
Taillamp assemblies ................................................ 265
Turn signal lamp ................................................90, 264
Turn signal lamp, side ............................................. 266
Exterior rear view mirrors ..............................................73
Electrically folding ...................................................... 75

305 Index
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car careIndex Headlamp cleaning system ............................................ 94
Headlights ......................................................................... 90
Heated seats ..................................................................... 44
Hood ................................................................................. 231
Hooks ............................................................................... 133
IIdentification labels .......................................................285
Illuminated vanity mirrors ............................................113
Indicator lamps in the instrument cluster ................... 78
Infant and child restraint system
Installation ................................................................... 67
Infant and child restraint systems ................................ 65
Inflating the space-saver tire .......................................249
Information call
See Tele Aid ............................................................... 148
Instrument cluster ........................................................... 76
Activating display ....................................................... 80
Display illumination ................................................... 80
Indicator lamps ........................................................... 78
Malfunction and indicator lamps ........................... 218
Instrument lamps ............................................................ 80Instruments and controls ............................................... 18
Interior
General notes ............................................................. 114
Interior lighting .............................................................. 110
JJump starting ................................................................. 253KKeys, vehicle .....................................................................24LLamps, exterior .............................................................. 260
Adjusting headlamp aim ......................................... 268
Auxiliary fog lamp ............................................. 92, 264
Fog lamps .....................................................................93
Headlamp assembly ......................................... 261, 262
Headlamps .................................90, 261, 262, 268, 280
High mounted stop lamp ......................................... 267
License plate lamps ................................................. 267
Low and high beam ............................................90, 263

306 Index
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car careIndex
Parking lamp ...................................................... 90, 264
Replacing bulbs .........................................................260
Side marker lamp ......................................................264
Standing lamp .................................................... 90, 264
Taillamp assemblies .................................................265
Turn signal lamp ................................................ 90, 264
Turn signal lamp, side .............................................266
Layout of poly-V-belt ......................................................286
Liftgate ............................................................................... 34
Unlocking ..................................................................... 28
Lighter ..............................................................................119
Limp home mode (Automatic transmission) ............. 172
Loading instructions ..................................................... 136
Lockable storage compartment .....................................116
Locking and unlocking the vehicle ............................... 27
Low engine coolant level warning ..............................224
Low engine oil level warning .......................................224
LOW RANGE
Indicator lamp ........................................................... 221
LOW RANGE mode ........................................................209
LOW RANGE – 4-ETS+ .............................................204
LOW RANGE – ABS ..................................................202
LOW RANGE – ESP ...................................................208
MMaintenance ...................................................................147
Malfunction and indicator lamps in the instrument
cluster ......................................................................... 218
Manual locking/unlocking the doors ...........................29
Manual operation of Skyview Top .............................. 273
Manual operation of sliding/pop-up roof .................. 272
Manual seat, front ............................................................39
MCS, radio and telephone ............................................146
Mechanical keys ............................................................... 29
Memory .............................................................................42
Recalling ....................................................................... 42
Storing ........................................................................... 42
Mirror, exterior, adjusting ..............................................73
Mirror, exterior, rear view ..............................................73
Mirror, inside, rear view ................................................. 71
Mirrors, vanity ................................................................ 113

307 Index
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car careIndex
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 ........................................................... 42Power 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

310 Index
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car careIndex
Tires
Driving instructions ................................................. 177
Rims and tires ...........................................................288
Rotating wheels ......................................................... 241
Tire inflation pressure .............................................250
Tire replacement .......................................................240
Winter driving instructions .................................... 180
Tow-away alarm ................................................................ 36
Switching off ................................................................ 36
Towing the vehicle .........................................................255
Stranded vehicle .......................................................259
Transmission selector lever, manually unlocking 259
Trailer operation ............................................................ 198
Trailer towing ................................................................. 190
Transmission .................................................................. 165
Transmission control - LOW RANGE mode ...............209
Transmission fluid level ...............................................234
Transmission selector lever, manually unlocking ....259
Traveling abroad ............................................................ 182
Trip computer ................................................................... 83
Trip odometer ................................................................... 80
Trunk ................................................................................. 34
Opening ........................................................................ 28
Trunk lamp ...................................................................... 111Turn signal failure ........................................................... 91
Turn signal lamp, side .................................................. 266
Turn signals ......................................................................90
UUnlocking the vehicle ...................................................... 27VVanity mirrors ................................................................ 113
Vehicle jack .................................................................... 237
Vehicle keys ......................................................................24
Ve h i c l e t o o l s
Screwdriver ............................................................... 237WWarranty coverage ........................................................ 284
Washing the vehicle ..................................................... 280
What you should know at the gas station .................. 212
Wheel bolt wrench ........................................................ 237
Wheels ............................................................................ 240
Changing wheels ...................................................... 245

1
Contents
IntroductionProduct information .......................... 7
Roadside assistance ......................... 10
Where to find it ................................ 14
Reporting Safety Defects ................ 16Instruments and controlsInstruments and controls ............... 18 Center console .............................. 20
Overhead control panel ............... 21OperationVehicle keys ...................................... 24
Start lock-out .................................... 25
General notes on the central locking system ............... 26
Central locking system ................... 26 Radio frequency
remote control .............................. 26
Unlocking the liftgate .................. 28
Panic button .................................. 28
Mechanical keys ........................... 29 Doors ................................................. 30
Central locking switch .................... 32 Automatic central locking .......... 32
Emergency unlocking in case of accident ................................... 33
Liftgate .............................................. 34
Antitheft alarm system ................... 35
Tow-away alarm and glass breakage sensor ............... 36
Seats, front ....................................... 37
Manual seats ................................ 39
Power seats ................................... 40
Head restraint ...............................41
Heated seats ..................................... 44
Seat belts and integrated restraint system .......................... 46
Seat belts .......................................... 46 Seat belt nonusage
warning system ............................ 47
BabySmart
TM airbag
deactivation system ................... 53
Self-test BabySmart
TM
without special child
seat installed ................................ 53 Supplemental restraint
system (SRS) ................................ 54
Emergency tensioning retractor (ETR) ............................. 55
Airbags .............................................. 56 Safety guidelines for the
seat belt, emergency
tensioning retractor
and airbag ..................................... 63
Infant and child
restraint systems .......................... 65
Adjustable steering wheel .............. 70
Inside rear view mirror .................. 71 Antiglare night position .............. 71
Exterior rear view mirrors ............. 73 Exterior rear view mirror,
electrically folding ....................... 75
Instrument cluster ........................... 76
Indicator lamps in the instrument cluster ...................... 78
Trip computer ................................... 83
Flexible service system (FSS) ........ 87
Engine oil level indicator ................ 89
Exterior lamp switch ....................... 90