1997 MERCEDES-BENZ ML500 catalytic converter

254
Jump starting
Te ch n ica l
data
Instruments
and controls Operation Driving
Instrument
cluster display Practical hints
Car care Index
Proceed as follows: 1. Position the vehicle with the charged battery so that the jumper cables will reach, but never let the
vehicles touch. Make sure the jumper cables do not
have loose or missing insulation.
2. On both vehicles: • Turn off engine and all lights and accessories,
except hazard warning flashers or work lights.
• Apply parking brake and shift selector lever to
position “P”.
Important!
3. Clamp one end of the first jumper cable to the positive (+) under hood terminal of the discharged
battery and the other end to the positive (+) terminal
of the charged battery. Make sure the cable clamps
do not touch any other metal parts.
4. Clamp one end of the second jumper cable to the grounded negative (–) terminal of the charged
battery and the final connection to the negative (–)
terminal of the discharged battery. Important!
5. Start engine of the vehicle with the charged battery and run at high idle. Make sure the cables are not
on or near pulleys, fans, or other parts that move
when the engine is started. Allow the discharged
battery to charge for a few minutes. Start engine of
the disabled vehicle in the usual manner.
6. After the engine has started, remove jumper cables by exactly reversing the above installation
sequence, starting with the last connection made
first. When removing each clamp, make sure that it
does not touch any other metal while the other end
is still attached.
Notes:
If engine does not run after several unsuccessful
starting attempts, have it checked at the nearest
authorized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center.
Excessive unburned fuel may damage the catalytic
converter.

301
Index
Te ch n ica l
data
Instruments
and controls Operation Driving
Instrument
cluster display Practical hints Car care
Index
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 .................................................... 32 Central 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

ContentsOperation......................................... 191
The first 1000 miles (1500 km) ......... 192
Driving instructions ............................ 193
Drive sensibly – save fuel ............. 193
Drinking and driving ..................... 193
Pedals .......................................... 193
Power assistance ......................... 193
Brakes .......................................... 194
Driving off..................................... 195
Parking ......................................... 196
Tires ............................................. 196
Hydroplaning ................................ 197
Tire traction .................................. 197
Tire speed rating .......................... 198
Winter driving instructions ........... 198
Standing water ............................. 200
Off-road driving ............................ 200
Trailer towing ............................... 206
Passenger compartment .............. 211
Driving abroad .............................. 211
Control and operation of
radio transmitters......................... 211
Catalytic converter ....................... 212
Emission control........................... 212
Coolant temperature .................... 213At the gas station .............................. 214
Refueling ...................................... 214
Check regularly and before
a long trip ..................................... 215
Engine compartment ......................... 217
Hood ............................................ 217
Engine oil ..................................... 218
Transmission fluid level ................ 222
Coolant ........................................ 222
Battery ......................................... 223
Windshield washer system and
headlamp cleaning system* ......... 224
Tires and wheels ................................ 226
Important guidelines .................... 226
Life of tire..................................... 227
Direction of rotation ..................... 227
Checking tire inflation pressure ... 227
Rotating wheels ........................... 228
Winter driving .................................... 230
Winter tires .................................. 230
Block heater (Canada only) .......... 231
Snow chains ................................. 231Maintenance...................................... 232
Clearing the service indicator ...... 232
Service term exceeded ................ 233
Calling up the service indicator .... 233
Resetting the service indicator .... 233
Vehicle care....................................... 234
Cleaning and care of the vehicle .. 234
Practical hints................................. 241
What to do if … .................................. 242
Lamps in instrument cluster ........ 242
Additional indicators in the
speedometer display.................... 256
Where will I find ...? ........................... 257
First aid kit ................................... 257
Vehicle tool kit ............................. 257
Spare wheel (space-saver tire) ..... 259
Unlocking / locking in an emergency . 261
Unlocking the vehicle................... 261
Locking the vehicle ...................... 262
Changing batteries in the
remote control ............................. 262
Fuel filler flap ............................... 263
Manually unlocking the
transmission gear selector lever .. 264

48 Getting startedDrivingAfter a cold start, the automatic transmis-
sion shifts at a higher engine revolution.
This allows the catalytic converter to reach
its operating temperature earlier.
More information can be found in the “Op-
eration” section (
page 191).
For information on off-road driving, see
“Driving instructions” (
page 200).
Switching on headlamps
The combination switch is located on the
left of the steering column.Combination switch1 Off
2Low beam headlamps on
3High beam lamps on
Turn the switch toõ.
Low beam headlamps on.
!If you hear a warning signal when driv-
ing off, you have forgotten to release
the parking brake.
Release the parking brake.Warning!
G
It is dangerous to shift the gear selector
lever out ofP orN if the engine speed is
higher than idle speed. If your foot is not
firmly on the brake pedal, the vehicle could
accelerate quickly forward or in reverse. You
could lose control of the vehicle and hit
someone or something. Only shift into gear
when the engine is idling normally and when
your right foot is firmly on the brake pedal.
Warning!
G
On slippery road surfaces, never downshift
in order to obtain braking action. This could
result in drive wheel slip and reduced vehi-
cle control. Your vehicle’s ABS will not pre-
vent this type of loss of control.!Place the gear selector lever in
positionR only when the vehicle is
stopped in order to avoid damaging the
transmission.!Do not run cold engine at high engine
speeds. Running a cold engine at high
engine speeds may shorten the service
life of the engine.

51 Getting started
Driving
Rear window wiper
The button is on the upper part on the cen-
ter console.
1Intermittent wiping
2Indicator lamp
3Wiping with washer fluidSwitching on intermittent wiping
Make sure the ignition is switched on.

Press upper half1 of the button.
Switching off intermittent wiping

Press upper half1 of the button
again.
Wiping with washer fluid

Press and hold lower half3 of the but-
ton.
After releasing the button the wiper op-
erates for additional five seconds.
More information on windshield wipers can
be found in the “Controls in detail” section
(
page 129).
Problems while driving
The engine runs erratically and misfires

An ignition cable may be damaged.


The engine electronics may not be
operating properly.


Unburned gasoline may have entered
the catalytic converter and damaged it.

Give very little gas.

Have the problem repaired by an au-
thorized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck
Center as soon as possible.

119 Controls in detail
Automatic transmission
Automatic transmission
Information on driving with an automatic
transmission is found in the “Getting
started” section (
page 46).
Your vehicle’s transmission adapts its gear
shifting process to your individual driving
style by continually adjusting the shift
points up or down. These shift point adjust-
ments are performed based on current
operating and driving conditions.
If the operating conditions change, the
automatic transmission reacts by
adjusting its gear shift program.The automatic transmission selects indi-
vidual gears automatically, depending on:


the gear selector lever positionD with
gear ranges4, 3, 2, 1 (
page 121)


the position of the accelerator pedal
(page 123)


the vehicle speed
The current gear selector lever position
appears in the tachometer display
(
page 24).
When the gear selector lever is in
positionD, you can influence transmission
shifting by


limiting the gear range


changing gears manually
iDuring the brief warm-up, transmission
upshifting is delayed. This allows the
catalytic converter to heat up more
quickly to operating temperature.
Warning!
G
It is dangerous to shift the gear selector
lever out ofP orN if the engine speed is
higher than idle speed. If your foot is not
firmly on the brake pedal, the vehicle could
accelerate quickly forward or reverse. You
could lose control of the vehicle and hit
someone or something. Only shift into gear
when the engine is idling normally and when
your right foot is firmly on the brake pedal.

212 OperationDriving instructionsTelephones and two-way radios
Radio transmitters, such as a portable tele-
phone or a citizens band unit should only
be used inside the vehicle if they are con-
nected to an antenna that is installed on
the outside of the vehicle.
Refer to the radio transmitter operation in-
structions regarding use of an external an-
tenna.
Catalytic converter
Your Mercedes-Benz is equipped with
monolithic-type catalytic converters, an
important element in conjunction with the
oxygen sensors to achieve substantial con-
trol of the pollutants in the exhaust emis-
sions. Keep your vehicle in proper
operating condition by following our rec-
ommended maintenance instructions as
outlined in your Service Booklet.
Emission control
Certain engine systems serve to keep the
toxic components of the exhaust gases
within permissible legal limits.
These systems, of course, will function
properly only when maintained strictly ac-
cording to factory specifications. Any ad-
justments on the engine should, therefore,
be carried out only by qualified
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center autho-
rized technicians. Engine adjustments
should not be altered in any way. More-
over, the specified service jobs must be
Warning!
G
Never operate radio transmitters equipped
with a built-in or attached antenna (i.e. with-
out being connected to an external antenna)
from inside the vehicle while the engine is
running. Doing so could lead to a malfunc-
tion of the vehicle’s electronic system, pos-
sibly resulting in an accident and / or
personal injury.
!To prevent damage to the catalytic con-
verters, use only premium unleaded
gasoline in this vehicle.
Any noticeable irregularities in engine
operation should be repaired promptly.
Otherwise, excessive unburned fuel
may reach the catalytic converter,
causing it to overheat and start a fire.
Warning!
G
As with any vehicle, do not idle, park or op-
erate this vehicle in areas where combusti-
ble materials such as grass, hay or leaves
can come into contact with the hot exhaust
system, as these materials could be ignited
and cause a vehicle fire.

219 Operation
Engine compartment
Checking engine oil level via display
When checking the oil level the vehicle
must

be parked on level ground


be at normal operating temperature


have been stationary for at least five
minutes with the engine turned off
To check the engine oil level via the display
in the speedometer, do the following:

Turn the key in the steering lock to
position2.
1Button
2Display in speedometer

Wait until the display
------
appears in
the speedometer display2.

Within one second press button1
twice.
One of the following messages will
subsequently appear in the display:

OIL i.OThe oil level is correct. Engine oil
does not to be added.


– 1.0 L
Add 1.0 liter of engine oil.


– 1.5 L
Add 1.5 liters of engine oil.


– 2.0 L
Add 2.0 liters of engine oil.
For adding engine oil see (
page 302).
More information on engine oil can be
found in the “Technical data” section
(
page 300) and (
page 301).Other display messages
If there is excess engine oil with the engine
at normal operating temperature, the
following message will appear in the
display:
OIL HIThe oil level is too high.
Have excess oil siphoned.!Excess oil must be siphoned or drained
off. It could cause damage to the
engine and catalytic converter not
covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty.