1997 MERCEDES-BENZ ML500 instrument cluster

21 Instruments and controls
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Overhead control panel1Interior lighting, see page 110
2Garage door opener, see page 140
3Hands-free microphone for Tele Aid, telephone and
voice recognition system
4Tele Aid (emergency call system), see page 148
5Sliding /pop-up roof, see page 107
Skyview Top, see page 109
6Rear view mirror, see page 71
Reading lamps inside rear view mirror, see page 110
1
2
3
4
5
6
1

22 Contents - Operation
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
OperationVehicle 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 - aw ay a lar m a n d
glass breakage sensor ................ 36
Seats, front ........................................ 37
Manual seats ................................. 39
Power seats ................................... 40Head 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 ...................71Antiglare 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
Fo g la mp sw itch
(except Canada) .......................... 92
Fo g la mp sw itch
(Canada only) .............................. 93
Hazard warning flasher
switch ............................................ 94
Headlamp cleaning system ............ 94
Windshield wiper/washer
switch ............................................ 95
Rear window wiper/washer ........... 96
Climate control ................................. 98
Basic setting – Heater ............... 100

23 Contents - Operation
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Basic setting –
Air conditioner ........................... 100
Special setting ............................ 101
Dust filter .................................... 102
Air recirculation ......................... 102
Rear window defroster .............. 103
Power windows ............................... 104
Rear quarter windows ................... 106
Sliding/pop-up roof ....................... 107
Skyview Top .................................... 109
Interior lighting ..............................110
Sun visors ........................................113Illuminated vanity mirrors ........... 113
Interior ............................................. 114
Storage compartments,
armrest and cup holder ............ 114
Glove box ...................................... 115
Armrest in rear bench seat ........... 117
Ashtrays ........................................... 118
Lighter .............................................. 119
Split rear seat bench ..................... 120
Easy entry/exit feature ............. 123
Rear seat head restraints ......... 124
Third row seats .............................. 126Removable cargo floor plates ....... 129
Enlarged cargo area ....................... 131
Cargo tie-down rings ..................... 132
Hooks ............................................... 133
Partition net .................................... 133
Loading instructions ..................... 136
Cargo area cover blind .................. 137
Telephone, general ........................ 139
Cellular telephone ......................... 139
Garage door opener ....................... 140

24 Central locking system
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Ve h i c l e k ey s
Included with your vehicle are:
•2 remote controls with folding master keys,
•1 reserve key,Remote control with folding master key
The remote control operates all locks on the vehicle.
To release the key, press button (1). The key unfolds
from the holder by itself.
The transmitter for the remote control is located in the
ke y ho ld e r.
Wa r n i n g !
When leaving the vehicle always remove the key
from the 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 may cause serious
personal injury.
1

25 Central locking system
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Reserve key
The reserve key fits all locks on the vehicle.
For notes on the mechanical keys refer to page 29.
Note:
We recommend that you carry the reserve key with you
and keep it in a safe place (e.g. your wallet) so that it is
always handy. Never leave the reserve key in the
vehicle.Obtaining replacement keys
Your vehicle is equipped with a theft deterrent locking
system requiring a special key manufacturing process.
For security reasons, replacement keys can only be
obtained from your authorized Mercedes-Benz Light
Truck Center.
Start lock-out
Important!
Removing the key from the steering lock activates the
start lock-out. The engine cannot be started.
Turning the key in the steering lock to position 2
deactivates the start lock-out.
Note:
In case the engine cannot be started and the
messagesÁ and î are shown in the odometer
display field, the system is not operational. Contact an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center or call
1-800-FOR-MERCedes (in the USA), or 1-800-387-0100
(in Canada).

26 Central locking system
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
General notes on the central locking system
If the key in the steering lock is in position 1 or 2, the
vehicle cannot be locked or unlocked with the remote
control.
If the vehicle cannot be locked or unlocked:
•Check the batteries of the remote control, see
page 270.
•Synchronize the remote control, see page 271.Central locking system
(Radio frequency remote control)
The master key has an integrated radio frequency
remote control.
Due to the extended operational range of the remote
control, it could be possible to unintentionally lock or
unlock the vehicle by pressing the transmit button.
The vehicle doors, liftgate and fuel filler flap can be
centrally locked and unlocked via remote control.
With vehicle centrally locked, the liftgate can also be
unlocked by using the remote control.
If the key in the steering lock is in position 1 or 2, the
vehicle cannot be locked or unlocked with the remote
control.

27 Central locking system
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index 1Transmit button
‹ Locking
ΠUnlocking
Š Unlocking liftgate
2PANIC button
3Release button for master keyLocking and unlocking with remote control
Unlocking :
Press transmit button Πonce. All turn signal lamps
blink once to indicate that the driver’s door and fuel
filler flap are unlocked.
The antitheft alarm system is also deactivated.
Press transmit button Πa second time to unlock
remaining doors and liftgate.
Notes:
If the fuel filler flap cannot be opened, see page 274.
If within 40 seconds of unlocking with the remote
control, neither door nor liftgate is opened or the key is
not inserted in the steering lock, the vehicle will
automatically lock and reactivate the antitheft alarm
system.

28 Central locking system
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Locking:
Press transmit button ‹ once. All turn signal lamps
blink three times to indicate that the vehicle is locked
and the antitheft alarm is activated.
Notes:
If the turn signal lamps do not blink three times when
locking the vehicle, a door, the liftgate, or the hood is
not properly closed. Close the respective element and
lock the vehicle again with the remote control.
If the vehicle cannot be locked or unlocked by pressing
the transmit button, then it may be necessary to change
the batteries in the remote control or to synchronize the
remote control, see page 270 and page 271.
Unlocking the liftgate
Press transmit button Š to unlock the liftgate. This
also deactivates the antitheft alarm.
Important!
A minimum height clearance of 7 ft. (2.15 m) is
required to open the liftgate.Panic button
To activate press and hold button (1) for at least one
second. An audible alarm and blinking turn signal
lamps will operate for approximately 3 minutes.
Additionally the interior lights switch on automatically
for approximately 3 minutes.
To deactivate press button (1) again, or press transmit
button‹, ŒorŠ on the remote control, or
turn key in steering lock to position 1.