1997 MERCEDES-BENZ ML500 trip computer

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

22
Contents - Operation
Te ch n ica l
data
Instruments
and controls Operation
Driving Instrument
cluster display Practical 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 ................................... 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
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

36
Tow-away protection
Te ch n ica l
data
Instruments
and controls Operation
Driving Instrument
cluster display Practical hints Car care Index
Tow-away alarm and glass breakage sensor
The switch is located in the overhead console.
The tow-away alarm and glass breakage sensor are part
of the antitheft alarm system.
Once the alarm system has been armed, the turn signal
lamps will flash rapidly and the horn will sound when
someone attempts to raise the vehicle, or breaks a
window and reaches into the passenger compartment. The alarm will last approximately 3 minutes in the form
of rapidly flashing turn signal lamps. At the same time
the horn will sound for approximately 30 seconds. The
alarm will stay on even if the vehicle is immediately
lowered.
If the alarm stays on for more than 20 seconds, an
emergency call is initiated automatically. See Tele Aid
on page 148.
To prevent triggering the tow-away alarm feature, switch
off the tow-away alarm and glass breakage sensor before
towing the vehicle, or when parking on a surface subject
to movement, such as a ferry or auto train.
To do so, turn key in steering lock to position 1, then
return it to position 0 and remove key from steering
lock.
Within 30 seconds, push left or right button. (On
vehicles equipped with optional trip computer, push
RESET or MODE button, display shows OFF.)
Exit vehicle, and lock vehicle with remote control.
The tow-away alarm and glass breakage sensor remain
switched off until the key is inserted in steering lock
and turned to position 1.

83
Trip computer
Te ch n ica l
data
Instruments
and controls Operation
Driving Instrument
cluster display Practical hints Car care Index
Trip computer
(standard; optional on model ML 320)
The trip computer is located in the overhead console.
Function keys are: • RESET
• MODE
Note:
With engine not running, the display switches off
automatically 30 seconds after the last entry. To select a mode:
With key in steering lock position 1 or 2, press MODE
key repeatedly to illuminate the display and scroll
through menu for one of the following options:
1. Date, see page 84.
2. Compass, see page 84.
3. Stop watch, see page 86.
4. Present fuel consumption – displays miles per gallon or liters pe r 100 km.
5. Average fuel consumption – displays miles per gallon or liters per 100 km, see page 86.
6. Distance remaining with fuel presently in tank. Note:
The display f lashes when fuel supply drops to the
reserve level. The distance remaining is no longer
shown.
7. Language – Press RESET key until the desired language is displayed. Depending on language
selected, information is displayed in that country’s
customary system. See page 86.
8. Trip computer switched off.
MODE

84
Trip computer
Te ch n ica l
data
Instruments
and controls Operation
Driving Instrument
cluster display Practical hints Car care Index
To change an entry, select mode to be changed: • Date –
Press RESET key, the month shown blinks. Now
press MODE key to advance to selected month.
Press RESET key again, the day shown blinks. Now
press MODE key to advance to selected day.
Press RESET key again, the year shown blinks. Now
press MODE key to advance to selected year.
Press RESET key again, the display stops blinking
and the date is set.
• Compass –
The compass displays the direction the vehicle is
traveling, such as N, NE, E, SE, S, SW, W or NW.
Note:
The presence of buildings, bridges, power lines and
large antenna masts can influence the displayed
values. Metallic or magnetic objects in or on the
vehicle can influence the accuracy of the compass. To change the compass zones:
Determine the geographical point of the vehicle with the
aid of the zone maps below:
1. Turn key in steering lock to position 2.
2. Press MODE key repeatedly until the compass display appears in the trip computer display.
3. Press RESET key to select the compass zone mode. The zone selected last is shown in the display.
4. Press RESET key repeatedly until the correct compass zone, as determined from the zone map, is
shown in the display.
5. Press MODE key twice to activate the new compass zone and change back to compass display.

85
Trip computer
Te ch n ica l
data
Instruments
and controls Operation
Driving Instrument
cluster display Practical hints Car care Index
Zone map North America Zone map South America

86
Trip computer
Te ch n ica l
data
Instruments
and controls Operation
Driving Instrument
cluster display Practical hints Car care Index
To calibrate the compass:
If the vehicle was exposed to a significant magnetic
zone, such as high voltage power lines, the compass
may have to be calibrated.
Calibration of the compass should be done in an area
free of steel superstructures and power lines. All
electrical consumers (e.g. exterior lamps, climate
control, etc.) should be switched off, doors and liftgate
closed. Do not open or close the roof. An open door or
liftgate triggers the display “–––”.
1. Start and run the engine.
2. Press MODE key repeatedly until the compass display appears in the trip computer display.
3. Press RESET key to select the compass zone display.
4. Press RESET repeatedly until the correct zone, as determined from the zone map (see page 85), is
shown in the display.
5. Press MODE key, “CAL–” appears in the display.
6. Press and hold RESET for a minimum of 2 seconds. 7. Without interruption drive two or more full circles
at a speed between 3 mph (5 km / h) and 7 mph
(10 km / h) during which the message “CAL” is
replaced with a compass bearing (e.g. N, SW etc.),
immediately followed by three full circles at the
same speed, with only the rear window defroster
switched on. The defroster can be switched off
again. The calibration of the compass is now
complete.
• Stop watch –
Press RESET key to start the count. Press again to
stop the count. Press and hold RESET key to reset
sto p watch.
• Average fuel consumption –
Press RESET key to delete present reading.
• Language –
Press RESET key to set the language used in the
display.