1997 MERCEDES-BENZ ML430 instrument panel

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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

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Contents - Instruments and controls
Te ch n ica l
data
Instruments
and controls Operation Driving
Instrument
cluster display Practical hints Car care Index
Instruments and controlsInstruments and controls ............... 18
Center console .............................. 20
Overhead control panel ............... 21

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Instruments and controls
Te ch n ica l
data
Instruments
and controls Operation Driving
Instrument
cluster display Practical hints Car care Index
Overhead control panel
1Interior lighting, see page 110
2 Garage door opener, see page 140
3 Hands-free microphone for Tele Aid, telephone and
voice recognition system
4 Tele Aid (emergency call system), see page 148
5 Sliding /pop-up roof, see page 107
Skyview Top, see page 109
6 Rear view mirror, see page 71
Reading lamps inside rear view mirror, see page 110
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2
3
4
5
6
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Restraint systems
Te ch n ica l
data
Instruments
and controls Operation
Driving Instrument
cluster display Practical hints Car care Index
• Never wear the shoulder belt under your arm,
against your neck or off your shoulder. In a
crash, your body would move too far forward.
That would increase the chance of head and
neck injuries. The belt would also apply too
much force to the ribs or abdomen, which
could severely injure internal organs such as
your liver or spleen.• Never wear belts over rigid or breakable objects in or on your clothing, such as
eyeglasses, pens, keys etc., as these might
cause injuries.• Position the lap belt as low as possible on your hips and not across the abdomen. If the belt is
positioned across your abdomen, it could cause
serious injuries in a crash.
• Each seat belt should never be used for more than one person at a time. Do not fasten a seat
belt around a person and another person or
other objects.• Belts should not be worn twisted. In a crash, you wouldn’t have the full width of the belt to
manage impact forces. The twisted belt against
your body could cause injuries.• Pregnant women should also use a lap-
shoulder belt. The lap belt portion should be
positioned as low as possible on the hips to
avoid any possible pressure on the abdomen.• Never place your feet on the instrument panel or on the seat. Always keep both feet on the
floor in front of the seat.

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Restraint systems
Te ch n ica l
data
Instruments
and controls Operation
Driving Instrument
cluster display Practical hints Car care Index
Safety guidelines for the seat belt,
emergency tensioning retractor and airbag
Wa r n i n g !
• Damaged seat belts or belts that were highly stressed in an accident must be replaced and
their anchoring points must also be checked.
Use only belts installed or supplied by an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center.• Do not pass belts over sharp edges.• Do not make any modification that could change the effectiveness of the belts.• Airbags and ETR’s are designed to function on a one-time-only basis. An airbag or emergency
tensioning retractor (ETR) that was activated
must be replaced.
• An airbag system component within the steering wheel gets hot after the airbag has
inflated. Do not touch.• Improper work on the system, including incorrect installation and removal, can lead to
possible injury through an unintended
activation of the “SRS”.• No modifications of any kind may be made to any components or wiring of the “SRS”. This
includes changing or removing any component
or part of the “SRS”, the installation of
additional trim material, badges etc. over the
steering wheel hub, front passenger airbag
cover, or front door trim panels, and
installation of additional electrical / electronic
equipment on or near “SRS” components and
wiring. Keep area between airbags and
occupants free of objects (e.g. packages,
purses, umbrellas, etc.).

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Exterior lamp switch
Te ch n ica l
data
Instruments
and controls Operation
Driving Instrument
cluster display Practical hints Car care Index
Exterior lamp switch
Rotate switch $ to positions:
D Off
C Parking 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.
õ Parking lamps plus low beam or high beam
headlamps (switch pushed forward) ƒ
Standing 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: 1 Low beam (exterior lamp switch position õ)
2 High beam (exterior lamp switch position õ)
3 High beam flasher (high beam available
independent of exterior lamp switch position)
4 Turn signals, right
5 Turn 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.

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Hazard warning flasher
Te ch n ica l
data
Instruments
and controls Operation
Driving Instrument
cluster display Practical hints Car care Index
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.

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Rear window wiper/washer
Te ch n ica l
data
Instruments
and controls Operation
Driving Instrument
cluster display Practical hints Car care Index
Rear window wiper/washer
The rear window wiper / washer switch is located in the
instrument panel. With key in steering lock position 2:
1 Press for interval wiping,
2 Press 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.
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