1997 MERCEDES-BENZ ML430 index

298 Consumer information
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Consumer information
This has been prepared as required of all manufactures
of passenger cars under Title 49, Code of U.S. Federal
Regulations, Part 575 pursuant to the “National Traffic
and Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1966”.
Uniform tire quality grading
Quality grades can be found where applicable on the
tire sidewall between tread shoulder and maximum
section width. For example:
All passenger vehicle tires must conform to federal
safety requirements in addition to these grades.Treadwear
The treadwear grade is a comparative rating based on
the wear rate of the tire when tested under controlled
conditions on a specified government test course. For
example, a tire graded 150 would wear one and one-half
(1
1/2) times as well on the government course as a tire
graded 100. The relative performance of tires depends
upon the actual conditions of their use, however, and
may depart significantly from the norm due to
variations in driving habits, service practices and
differences in road characteristics and climate.
Traction
The traction grades, from highest to lowest are AA, A, B,
and C. Those grades represent the tire’s ability to stop
on wet pavement as measured under controlled
conditions on specified government test surfaces of
asphalt and concrete. A tire marked C may have poor
traction performance. Tread wear 200 Traction AA Temperature A
Wa r n i n g !
The traction grade assigned to this tire is based on
straight ahead braking traction tests, and does not
include acceleration, cornering, hydroplaning, or
peak traction characteristics.

299 Consumer information
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Temp era tur e
The temperature grades are A (the highest), B, and C,
representing the tire’s resistance to the generation of
heat and its ability to dissipate heat when tested under
controlled conditions on a specified indoor laboratory
test wheel. Sustained high temperature can cause the
material of the tire to degenerate and reduce tire life,
and excessive temperature can lead to sudden tire
failure. The grade C corresponds to a level of
performance which all passenger vehicle tires must
meet under the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard
No. 109. Grades B and A represent higher levels of
performance on the laboratory test wheel than the
minimum required by law.
Wa r n i n g !
The temperature grade for this tire is established
for a tire that is properly inflated and not
overloaded. Excessive speed, underinflation, or
excessive loading, either separately or in
combination, can cause excessive heat build up
and possible tire failure.

300 Index
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car careIndex
Index
AABS (Antilock brake system) ....................................... 201
LOW RANGE – ABS ..................................................202
Malfunction indicator lamp .....................................222
Adjustable steering wheel .............................................. 70
Indicator lamp ...........................................................222
Adjusting headlamp aim ...............................................268
Air conditioner refrigerant ...........................................294
Air pump .........................................................................239
Air recirculation ............................................................ 102
Airbag deactivation system ............................................ 53
Airbag OFF indicator lamp ...........................................222
Airbags .............................................................................. 56
Alarm system ............................................................. 35, 36
Anticorrosion/antifreeze .................... 181, 235, 293, 297
Antiglare night position ................................................. 71
Antilock brake system (ABS) ....................................... 201
LOW RANGE – ABS ..................................................202
Malfunction indicator lamp .....................................222
Antitheft alarm system ................................................... 35
Aquaplaning ................................................................... 178Ashtray
Center console, front ................................................ 118
Rear passenger compartment ................................. 118
Automatic central locking ..............................................32
Automatic transmission ................................................ 165
Emergency Operation ............................................... 172
Fluid level .................................................................. 234
Selector lever position .............................................. 168
Transmission selector lever,
manually unlocking 259
BBabySmart
TM airbag deactivation system ..................... 53
Self-test ......................................................................... 53
BAS (Brake assist system) ............................................ 199
Malfunction indicator lamp .....................................221
Battery .............................................................................251
Battery recycling ...................................................... 252
Charge indicator lamp ............................................. 223
Battery, remote control ................................................. 270
Block heater .................................................................... 182
Blocking of rear door windows ....................................105
Brake assist system (BAS) ............................................ 199
Malfunction indicator lamp .....................................221

301 Index
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car careIndex Brake fluid ............................................................. 175, 294
Brake warning lamp ................................................. 219
Capacity ......................................................................293
Brake pad wear indicator .............................................225
Brake warning lamp ...................................................... 219
Brake fluid low .......................................................... 219
Brakes ....................................................173, 175, 293, 294
CCapacities
Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc. ...............................292
Cargo area ....................................................................... 131
Hooks .......................................................................... 133
Loading instructions ................................................ 136
Cargo area cover blind .................................................. 137
Cargo compartment lamp .............................................. 111
Cargo floor plates
Removable .................................................................. 129
Storage ........................................................................ 130
Cargo tie-down rings ..................................................... 132
Catalytic converter ........................................................ 160
Cellular telephone ......................................................... 139
Center console .................................................................. 20
Central locking switch .................................................... 32Central locking system .................................................... 26
Automatic central locking .........................................32
Locking and unlocking ............................................... 27
Mechanical keys ..........................................................29
Panic button .................................................................28
Remote control ............................................................26
Unlocking the liftgate ................................................. 28
Vehicle keys .................................................................24
Changing wheels ........................................................... 245
Inflating the space-saver tire ................................. 249
Charge indicator lamp .................................................. 223
CHECK ENGINE malfunction indicator lamp ............ 218
Check regularly and before a long trip ....................... 215
Checking engine oil level
Via engine oil level indicator ....................................89
Via oil dipstick .......................................................... 233
Child restraint ..............................................38, 46, 53, 65
Cleaning and care of the vehicle ................................ 278
Climate control .................................................................98
Air recirculation ........................................................102
Basic setting ...............................................................100
Defogging windows ................................................... 101
Defrosting windshield .............................................. 101
Dust filter ...................................................................102
Rear window defroster ............................................. 103
Special settings ......................................................... 101

302 Index
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data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car careIndex
Clock, adjusting ............................................................... 80
Compartment under front passenger seat ..................116
Consumer information ..................................................298
Control and operation of radio transmitters ............. 146
Coolant level
Adding ........................................................................235
Checking ....................................................................234
Low engine coolant level warning ..........................224
Coolant temperature gauge ............................................ 81
Coolants ...........................................................................296
Anticorrosion/antifreeze quantity .........................296
Low engine coolant level warning ..........................224
Cover blind, cargo area ................................................. 137
Cruise control ................................................................. 196
Cup holder
Instrument panel .......................................................116
Rear center console ...................................................117
DDaytime running lamps .................................................. 91
Deep water
Driving instructions ................................................. 181
Defroster, rear window .................................................. 103
Display illumination ........................................................ 80Doors .................................................................................. 30
Drinking and driving ..................................................... 174
Drive sensibly - save fuel .............................................. 174
Driving instructions ...................................................... 174
Driving off ....................................................................... 176
EEBP (Electronic brake proportioning) ........................ 204
Electrical outlet ............................................................. 230
Electronic brake proportioning (EBP) ........................ 204
Electronic stability program (ESP) ............................. 205
Control switch .......................................................... 207
Malfunction indicator lamp .....................................221
Synchronizing .......................................................... 206
Warning lamp ............................................................221
Electronic traction system (4-ETS+) ........................... 203
LOW RANGE – 4-ETS ............................................... 204
Malfunction indicator lamp .....................................221
Emergency call
See Tele Aid ...............................................................148
Emergency operation of Skyview Top ....................... 273
Emergency tensioning retractor (ETR) .........................55
Emergency unlocking in case of accident ...................33
Emission control ............................................................ 161

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

304 Index
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data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car careIndex
FFirst aid kit .....................................................................228
Flexible service system (FSS) ........................................ 87
FSS indicator lamp ............................................ 79, 225
Floor plates
Removable .................................................................. 129
Fog lamp switch ........................................................ 92, 93
Four ETS
LOW RANGE – 4-ETS+ .............................................204
Malfunction indicator lamp ..................................... 221
Four wheel electronic traction system (4-ETS+) .......203
Malfunction indicator lamp ..................................... 221
Fuel
Gasoline additives ....................................................296
Premium unleaded gasoline ................. 213, 293, 295
Fuel filler flap
Manual release .......................................................... 274
Fuel requirements .........................................................295
Fuel reserve warning ....................................................220
Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc. - Capacities ..............292
Fuses, electrical .............................................................228
GGarage door opener .......................................................140
Gasoline
Additives .................................................................... 296
Fuel requirements ................................................... 295
Premium unleaded .................................................. 295
General notes on the central locking system .............. 26
Glass breakage sensor .................................................... 36
Glove box ......................................................................... 115HHazard warning flasher switch ..................................... 94
Head restraints
Adjusting ......................................................................43
Front .............................................................................. 43
Front, removal ............................................................. 43
Rear .............................................................................124
Removal ............................................................... 43, 125
Headlamp aim, adjusting ............................................. 268
Headlamp assembly
Halogen ....................................................................... 261
Xenon ......................................................................... 262

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