1997 MERCEDES-BENZ ML500 climate control

2
Contents
Fog lamp switch (except Canada) ........................... 92
Fog lamp switch (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
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 ........................................113 Illuminated 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 .............................. 126
Removable 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
DrivingControl and operation of radio transmitters ..................... 146
The first 1 000 miles (1 500 km) ................................. 147
Maintenance ................................... 147
Tele Aid ........................................... 148
Catalytic converter ........................ 160
Emission control ............................ 161
Steering lock ................................... 162
Starting and turning off the engine .................................. 164
Automatic transmission ............... 165
Parking brake ................................. 173
Driving instructions ...................... 174 Drive sensibly – save fuel ......... 174
Drinking and driving ................. 174
Pedals ........................................... 174
Power assistance ........................ 175
Brakes .......................................... 175
Driving off ................................... 176
Parking ........................................ 176
Tires ............................................. 177

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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
For more detailed descriptions see index on page 300.
For adjustment of air outlets, refer to climate control,
see page 98.
1 Cup holder, see page 114
2 Parking brake release, see page 173
3 Parking brake pedal, see page 173
4 Steering wheel adjustment lever, see page 70
5 Headlamp washer switch, see page 94
6 Exterior lamp switch, see page 90
7 Cruise control switch, see page 196
8 Instrument cluster, see page 76
9 Hazard warning flasher switch, see page 94
10 Horn (with key in steering lock position 1 or 2),
Driver airbag, see page 56
11 Steering lock with ignition / starter switch, see
page 162
12 Switch for exterior rear view mirrors, electrically
folding, see page 75
13 Windshield wiper / washer switch, see page 95 14
Transmission control – LOW RANGE mode, see
page 209
15 Indicator lamp for antitheft alarm system
16 Auxiliary front fog lamp / rear fog lamp switch, see
page 92
17 MCS (Optional Modular Control System), see
separate operator’s manual
18 Front passenger airbag, see page 56
19 Glove box (illuminated with key in steering lock
position 1 or 2)
20 Cup holder, see page 114
21 Storage compartment
22 Air recirculation switch, see page 98
23 Air conditioner on /off switch, see page 98
24 Air volume control switch
25 Temperature selector switch
26 Air distribution switch
27 Electrical outlet, see page 230

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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

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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.

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Climate control
Te ch n ica l
data
Instruments
and controls Operation
Driving Instrument
cluster display Practical hints Car care Index
Climate control

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Climate control
Te ch n ica l
data
Instruments
and controls Operation
Driving Instrument
cluster display Practical hints Car care Index
1
Air volume control switch
2 Temperature selector switch
3 Air distribution switch
4 Air recirculation
5 Air conditioning mode
6 Air volume control for center air outlets,
turn wheel up to open.
7 Air volume control for side air outlet,
turn wheel up to open.
8 Center air outlets, adjustable
9 Side air outlets, adjustable
10 Windshield air outlets
11 Floor outlets
The air conditioning mode only operates with the œ
button pushed, the air volume control switch set to
position 1 to 4, and the engine running. To quickly cool down the passenger compartment, turn
temperature selector switch fully to the left to
position O. Turn temperature selector to maintain
desired temperature.
The air conditioning mode removes considerable
moisture from the air during operation in the cooling
mode. It is normal for water to drip on the ground
through ducts in the underbody.
Important!
This vehicle is equipped with an air conditioner system
that uses R–134a (HFC: hydrof luorocarbon) as a
refrigerant. Repairs should always be performed by a
qualified technician, and refrigerant should be collected
in a recovery system for recycling.
Note:
For the air flow-through system to function properly, the
air vents, located in the left and right side rear
passenger compartment trim panel covers, should be
ke pt un obst ru cte d .

100
Climate control
Te ch n ica l
data
Instruments
and controls Operation
Driving Instrument
cluster display Practical hints Car care Index
Basic setting - Heater
Select temperature.
Select air volume with control switch Q, set at least
to position 2 to prevent windows from fogging up.
Set air distribution control switch to position shown
above.
Turn wheels (7) to position l to open left and right
side air outlets (9). Adjust air outlets upward.
Open center air outlets as desired. Basic setting - Air Conditioner
Switch on air conditioner with control button œ.
Select temperature.
Select air volume with control switch Q, set at least
to position 1.
Set air distribution control switch to position a.
Open side air outlets.
Open center air outlets.

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Climate control
Te ch n ica l
data
Instruments
and controls Operation
Driving Instrument
cluster display Practical hints Car care Index
Special setting (use only for short duration)
Defrosting windshield
Set temperature selector and switches for air volume
and air distribution to position P.
Turn wheels (7) to position l to open left and right
side air outlets (9). Adjust air outlets upward.
Close center air outlets. Defogging windows
Windows fogged up on inside.
Switch on air conditioning mode with control œ.
Switch off air recirculation O. Indicator lamp in
button goes out.
Set air distribution control switch to position c.
Increase air volume with control switch.
Turn side air outlet wheels (7) to position l.
Close center air outlets.