1997 MERCEDES-BENZ ML500 instrument cluster

109 Interior equipment
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Skyview Top (optional)
The Skyview Top can be operated with key in steering
lock position 1 or 2.
1to slide roof open
2to slide roof closedTo fully open Skyview Top automatically, brief ly press
switch in direction (1) and release. To stop the process,
press switch again.
Notes:
After turning off the engine the Skyview Top can be
operated for approximately 30 minutes or until a front
door is opened.
The Skyview Top can be opened or closed manually
should an electrical malfunction occur, see page 273.
RESETMODE
Wa r n i n g !
When closing the Skyview Top, be sure that there
is no danger of anyone being h armed by th e closing
procedure.The closing procedure can be immediately reversed
by moving the switch in direction (1).When leaving the vehicle, always remove the key
from steering lock, and lock your vehicle. Do not
leave children unattended in the vehicle, or with
access to an unlocked vehicle. Unsupervised use of
vehicle equipment can cause serious personal
injury.

110 Interior equipment
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
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

111 Interior equipment
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Lamps above rear doors
Interior lamps above rear doors are switched on, and off
(soft fade) delayed, when opening a rear door or closing
rear doors.
With rear doors closed, push on lamp lens to switch
interior lamps on or off.
Note:
If lamp is switched on manually, it does not go out by
closing the door.Cargo compartment lamp
1The lamp is switched off.
2The lamp is switched on continuously.
To prevent the vehicle battery from being
discharged, move switch to position (1) or (3) before
leaving the vehicle.
3The lamp is switched on and off by the opening and
closing of the liftgate.
1
2
3

112 Interior equipment
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Switch for interior lamps / lamps above rear doors
1Press to switch lamps above rear doors off.
To switch both lamps above rear doors on, briefly
press upper half of switch again.
Note:
With one lamp above rear door illuminated, first the
lamp goes out when pressing upper half of the
switch. Press again to switch both lamps on.2Press in to switch interior lamps off (except cargo
compartment lamp).
The interior lamps remain switched off, even when
opening a door.
With rocker switch in center position, the interior
lamps operate as described on previous pages.
Entrance lamps, exit lamps in doors
The lamps are switched on and off by the door contact
switches.
Notes:
To prevent the vehicle battery from being discharged,
with doors open all interior lamps (except rear cargo
compartment lamp) go out after approximately
30 minutes.
If an interior lamp is switched on manually, it does not
go out automatically. Before leaving the vehicle, make
sure that all interior lamps are switched off.

113 Interior equipment
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Sun visors
Swing sun visors down to protect against sun glare.
If sunlight enters through a side window, disengage
visor from inner mounting, pivot it to the side, and slide
it to the desired position.Illuminated vanity mirrors
With the visor engaged in its inner mounting and with
key in steering lock position 1 or 2, the lamp is switched
on by opening the cover.
Wa r n i n g !
Do not use the vanity mirror while driving.

114 Interior equipment
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Interior Storage compartments, armrest and cup holder
Wa r n i n g !
To help avoid personal injury during a collision or
sudden maneuver, exercise care when stowing
things. Put luggage or cargo in the trunk if
possible. Do not pile luggage or cargo higher than
the seat backs. Luggage nets cannot secure hard or heavy objects.
Wa r n i n g !
Keep compartment lids closed. This will help to
prevent stored objects from being thrown about
and injuring vehicle occupants during an accident
and sudden maneuvers.

115 Interior equipment
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Glove box
Pull handle (1) to open.
The glove box is illuminated with key in steering lock
position 1 or 2 when opening the lid.Storage compartment below center armrest
To open compartment:
Press button and lift lid.
To c l o s e :
Lower lid until it engages in lock.

116 Interior equipment
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
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.