1997 MERCEDES-BENZ ML500 lights

44
Seats
Te ch n ica l
data
Instruments
and controls Operation
Driving Instrument
cluster display Practical hints Car care Index
Heated seats (front, optional on ML 320)
The front seat heater switches are located on the center
console.
The front seat heaters can be switched on with the
engine running. Press switch to turn on seat heater:
1 Normal seat heating mode. One indicator lamp in
the switch lights up.
2 Rapid seat heating mode. Both indicator lamps in
the switch light up.
After approximately 5 minutes in the rapid seat
heating mode, the seat heater automatically
switches to normal operation and only one indicator
lamp will stay on.
Turning off seat heater:
If one indicator lamp is on, press upper half of switch.
If both indicator lamps are on, press lower half of
switch.
If left on, the seat heater automatically turns off after
approximately 20 minutes of operation.
P54.25-2036-26
12

72
Rear view mirrors
Te ch n ica l
data
Instruments
and controls Operation
Driving Instrument
cluster display Practical hints Car care Index
Automatic (optional on ML 320):
With the key in steering lock position 2 and the
automatic antiglare function activated, the mirror
reflection brightness responds to changes in light
sensitivity.
To a ctiva te:
Press button (1). The green indicator lamp in the rear
view mirror lights up. To deactivate:
Press button (1) again. The indicator lamp in the rear
view mirror goes out. The mirror brightness does not
respond to changes in light sensitivity.
Notes:
With gear selector lever in position “R”, or with the
interior lamps (except cargo compartment lamp)
switched on, the mirror brightness does not respond to
changes in light sensitivity.
The automatic antiglare function does not react, if
incoming light is not aimed directly at sensors in the
mirror.
Wa r n i n g !
In the case of an accident liquid electrolyte may
escape the mirror housing when the mirror glass
breaks.Electrolyte has an irritating effect. Do not allow the
liquid come into contact with eyes, skin, clothing,
or respiratory system. In cases it does, immediately
flush affected area with water, and seek medical
help if necessary.

102
Climate control
Te ch n ica l
data
Instruments
and controls Operation
Driving Instrument
cluster display Practical hints Car care Index
Windshield fogged up on outside.
Switch on wiper motor.
Set air distribution control switch to position d
or a .
Dust filter
Nearly all dust particles and pollen are filtered out
before outside air enters the passenger compartment
through the air distribution system.
Note:
Keep the air intake grille in front of windshield free of
snow and debris.
Climate control – OFF
To switch the climate control off, set air volume control
switch to position 0.
Switch off air conditioning mode œ. Control lamp in
button goes out. Air recirculation
This mode can be selected to temporarily reduce the
entry of annoying odors or dust into the vehicle’s
interior.
Outside air is not supplied to the vehicles’s interior.
To select, press O button. Indicator lamp in button
lights up.
To cancel, press O button again. Indicator lamp in
button goes out.
If the windows should fog up from the inside, switch
from recirculated air back to fresh air.

166
Automatic transmission
Te ch n ica l
data
Instruments
and controls Operation
Driving Instrument
cluster display Practical hints Car care Index
Driving
The selector lever is automatically locked while in
position “P”. To move the selector lever out of
position “P”, the service brake pedal must be firmly
depressed before the shift lock will release.
Shift selector lever to the desired position only when the
engine is idling normally and the service brake is
applied. Do not release the brake until ready to drive.
The vehicle may otherwise start creeping when the
selector lever is in drive or reverse position. Important!
After selecting any driving position from “N” or “P”,
wait a moment to allow the gear to fully engage before
accelerating, especially when the engine is cold.
Accelerator position
Partial throttle = early upshifting = normal acceleration
Full throttle = later upshifting = rapid acceleration
Kickdown (depressing the accelerator beyond full
throttle) = downshifting to a lower gear = maximum
acceleration. Once the desired speed is attained, ease up
on the accelerator – the transmission shifts up again.
Stopping
For brief stops, e.g. at traffic lights, leave the
transmission in gear and hold vehicle with the service
brake.
For longer stops with the engine idling, shift into “N”
or “P” and hold the vehicle with the service brake.
When stopping the vehicle on an uphill gradient, do not
hold it with the accelerator, use the brake. This avoids
unnecessary transmission heat build up.
Wa r n i n g !
It is dangerous to shift the selector lever out of “P”
or “N” 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.

209
Driving systems
Te ch n ica l
data
Instruments
and controls Operation
Driving Instrument
cluster display Practical hints Car care Index
Transmission control – LOW RANGE mode
The switch is located in the instrument panel.
Important!
When switching to or from the LOW RANGE mode,
observe the following:
• The vehicle must be at a complete standstill.
• The engine speed must not exceed 1500 rpm. Failure to do so may result in transmission / engine
damage not covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty
The LOW RANGE mode should be switched on:
• during off-road driving,
• when crossing waters.
For additional practical hints refer to off-road driving
on page 183.
Switching on: 1. Sto p t h e v e h i c l e .
2. Move transmission selector lever to position “N”.
3. Push top end of switch. The LOW RANGE indicator lamp in the instrument cluster blinks slowly during
the changeover.
Once the changeover is complete, the indicator lamp in
the instrument cluster lights up continuously.
Note:
If the indicator lamp blinks fast, one or more switching
conditions were not observed, or the LOW RANGE mode
is defective.

221
Malfunction and indicator lamps
Te ch n ica l
data
Instruments
and controls Operation Driving
Instrument
cluster display Practical hints Car care Index
Electronic stability program (ESP)/Electronic
traction system (4-ETS+) — warning lamp
The yellow warning lamp in the
speedometer dial comes on with the key in
steering lock position 2. It should go out
with engine running.
See page 203 for 4-ETS+ and page 205 for ESP if the
warning lamp lights up or flashes when the vehicle is
moving.
BAS/ESP malfunction indicator lamp The malfunction indicator lamp for the ESP
is combined with that of the BAS.
The yellow BAS / ESP malfunction indicator
lamp in the instrument cluster comes on with the key in
steering lock position 2. It should go out with the engine
running.
If the BAS / ESP malfunction indicator lamp remains
illuminated with the engine running, see page 199 for
BAS and page 205 for ESP. 4-ETS+ malfunction indicator lamp
The yellow ETS malfunction indicator lamp
in the instrument cluster comes on with the
key in steering lock position 2. It should go
out with the engine running.
If the ETS malfunction indicator lamp remains
illuminated with the engine running a malfunction has
been detected, see page 203 for 4-ETS+.
LOW RANGE indicator lamp The yellow LOW RANGE indicator lamp in
the instrument cluster comes on with the
key in steering lock position 2. With the
LOW RANGE mode deactivated it should go out with the
engine running.
With the LOW RANGE mode activated the LOW RANGE
indicator lamp is illuminated continuously.
If the indicator lamp blinks fast, one or more switching
conditions were not observed, or the LOW RANGE mode
is defective, see page 209 for LOW RANGE mode.
BAS ESP
ETSLOW
RANGE

225
Malfunction and indicator lamps
Te ch n ica l
data
Instruments
and controls Operation Driving
Instrument
cluster display Practical hints Car care Index
Brake pad wear indicator lamp
With the key in steering lock position 2, the
indicator lamp comes on and goes out when
the engine is running.
If the indicator lamp lights up during braking, this
indicates that the brake pads are worn down.
Have the brake system checked at your authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center as soon as possible. FSS indicator
FSS indicator (Service A), see page 87.
FSS indicator (Service B), see page 87.
The symbols appear in the main odometer display field
prior to the next suggested service. Depending on
operating conditions throughout the year, the next
service is calculated and displayed in days or distance
remaining. See page 87 for notes on the flexible service
system (FSS).

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.