1997 MERCEDES-BENZ ML500 roof

107
Interior equipment
Te ch n ica l
data
Instruments
and controls Operation
Driving Instrument
cluster display Practical hints Car care Index
Sliding /pop-up roof
(optional)
1 to slide roof open
2 to slide roof closed
3 to raise roof at rear
4 to lower roof at rear The sliding /pop-up roof can be operated with key in
steering lock position 1 or 2.
Notes:
The sliding /pop-up roof can be opened or closed
manually should an electrical malfunction occur, see
page 272.
After turning off the engine the sliding /pop up roof can
be operated for approximately 30 minutes or until a
front door is opened.
RESETMODE
P68.00-2429-26
Wa r n i n g !
When closing the sliding /pop-up roof, be sure that
there is no danger of anyone being harmed by the
closing procedure.The closing procedure can be immediately reversed
by moving the switch in direction (1) or (3).When leaving the vehicle, always remove the key
from 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 can cause serious personal
injury.

108
Interior equipment
Te ch n ica l
data
Instruments
and controls Operation
Driving Instrument
cluster display Practical hints Car care Index
With the roof closed or tilted open, a screen can be slid
into the roof opening to guard against sun rays. When
sliding the roof open, the screen will also retract. Express opening of sliding /pop-up roof
To open sliding /pop-up roof automatically, briefly move
switch in direction (1) and release. The roof will not
open fully. Press again to open it fully.
To interrupt procedure, brief ly move switch in any
direction.
Note:
For resynchronizing the express opening feature see
page 272.
RESETMODE

109
Interior equipment
Te ch n ica l
data
Instruments
and controls Operation
Driving Instrument
cluster display Practical hints Car care Index
Skyview Top
(optional)
The Skyview Top can be operated with key in steering
lock position 1 or 2.
1 to slide roof open
2 to slide roof closed To fully open Skyview Top automatically, brief ly press
switch in direction (1) and release. To stop the process,
press switch again.
Notes:
After turning off the engine the Skyview Top can be
operated for approximately 30 minutes or until a front
door is opened.
The Skyview Top can be opened or closed manually
should an electrical malfunction occur, see page 273.
RESETMODE
Wa r n i n g !
When closing the Skyview Top, be sure that there
is no danger of anyone being h armed by th e closing
procedure.The closing procedure can be immediately reversed
by moving the switch in direction (1).When leaving the vehicle, always remove the key
from 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 can cause serious personal
injury.

174
Driving instructions
Te ch n ica l
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Instruments
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Driving Instrument
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Driving instructions
Drive sensibly – save fuel
Fuel consumption, to a great extent, depends on driving
habits and operating conditions.
To save fuel you should:
• keep tires at the recommended inflation pressures,
• remove unnecessary loads,
• remove roof rack when not in use,
• allow engine to warm up under low load use,
• avoid frequent acceleration and deceleration,
• have all maintenance work performed at regular
intervals by an authorized Mercedes-Benz Light
Truck Center.
Fuel consumption is also increased by driving in cold
weather, in stop-and-go traffic, on short trips and in hilly
country. Drinking and driving
Pedals
Wa r n i n g !
Drinking or taking drugs and driving can be a very
dangerous combination. Even a small amount of
alcohol or drugs can affect your reflexes,
perceptions and judgement.The possibility of a serious or even fatal accident is
sharply increased when you drink or take drugs
and drive.Please don’t drink or take drugs and drive or allow
anyone to drive after drinking or taking drugs.Wa r n i n g !
Keep driver’s foot area clear at all times. Objects
stored in this area may impair pedal movement.

183
Driving instructions
Te ch n ica l
data
Instruments
and controls Operation
Driving Instrument
cluster display Practical hints Car care Index
Off-Road driving
Familiarize yourself with the vehicle characteristics and
gear changing before you attempt any difficult terrain
off-road driving. We recommend that you start out with
easy off-road travel.
Please read this chapter carefully before you begin
off-road travel.
Special driving features are available for specific kinds
of operation:
• LOW RANGE mode, see page 209
• LOW RANGE - ABS, see page 202
• LOW RANGE - 4-ETS+, see page 204
• LOW RANGE - ESP, see page 208
Engage the LOW RANGE mode before driving under
off-road conditions. For switching LOW RANGE mode on
and off see page 209.
Fasten items being carried as securely as possible, see
page 136.
We recommend to keep doors, liftgate, windows, and
roof closed whenever driving in off-road mode. Important!
Adjust vehicle speed to condition of terrain. The more
uneven, rutty and steeper the terrain, the lower the
speed should be.
Watch out for obstacles, such as rocks, holes,
tree-stumps, ruts.
Be especially careful when driving in unknown
territory. Eventually get out of the vehicle and scout the
path you intend to take.
Continuous and speedy driving in sandy soil overcomes
the vehicle rolling resistance, and helps to prevent the
vehicle from sinking into the ground.
Do not initiate jumps with the vehicle. It interrupts the
forward momentum of the vehicle.
Sand, dirt, mud and other material having friction
property, can cause exceptional wear and tear as well as
failure of the brakes.
In this case the brakes may be less effective or even fail
when you most need them. Always clean and check the
brakes following each off-road trip.

227
Contents - Practical hints
Te ch n ica l
data
Instruments
and controls Operation Driving
Instrument
cluster display Practical hints
Car care Index
Practical hintsFirst aid kit .....................................228
Fuses ................................................228
Electrical outlet ..............................230
Stowing things in the vehicle ......230
Hood ................................................. 231
Checking engine oil level .............233
Automatic transmission fluid level ...................................234
Engine oil consumption ................234
Coolant level ...................................234 Adding coolant ...........................235
Windshield washer/headlamp cleaning system .........................236
Windshield and
headlamp washer fluid
mixing ratio ................................237 Vehicle jack, wheel bolt
wrench and screwdriver ......... 237
Air pump ......................................... 239
Wheels ............................................ 240 Tire replacement ....................... 240
Rotating wheels ......................... 241
Spare wheel .................................... 242
Changing wheels ........................... 245
Tire inflation pressure ................. 250
Battery ............................................. 251
Jump starting ................................. 253
Towing the vehicle ........................ 255 Transmission selector lever,
manually unlocking .................. 259
Stranded vehicle ............................ 259 Exterior lamps ................................260
Headlamp assembly ................... 261
Taillamp assemblies ..................265
Adjusting headlamp aim ...............268
Remote control battery replacement .................270
Synchronizing
remote control ............................ 271
Emergency operation of sliding/pop-up roof ...................272
Emergency operation of Skyview Top ...............................273
Manual release for fuel filler flap ............................. 274
Replacing wiper blades .................275
Roof rack ......................................... 276

252
Battery
Te ch n ica l
data
Instruments
and controls Operation Driving
Instrument
cluster display Practical hints
Car care Index
Therefore, we strongly recommend that you have the
battery charge checked frequently, and corrected if
necessary, especially if you use the vehicle less than
approximately 200 miles (300 km) per month,
mostly for short distance trips, or if it is not used for
long periods of time.
Only charge a battery with a battery charger after the
battery has been disconnected from the vehicle’s
electrical circuit.
Always disconnect the battery negative lead first and
connect last.
When removing and connecting the battery, always
make sure that all electrical consumers are off and the
key is in steering lock position 0. The battery must
always be securely installed when the vehicle is in
operation. During removal and installation always
protect the disconnected battery positive (+) terminal
with the cover attached to the battery.
While the engine is running the battery terminal clamps
must not be loosened or detached, otherwise the
generator and other electronic components would be
damaged. Note:
After reconnecting the battery also set the clock in
instrument cluster (see page 80), set date in trip
computer (see page 83), resynchronize the sliding / pop-
up roof (see page 272), the Skyview Top (see page 273)
and the electronic stability program (ESP) (see
page 206).
Battery recycling
Batteries contain material that can harm the
environment with improper disposal.
Large 12 Volt storage batteries contain lead.
Recycling of batteries is the preferred method of
disposal.
Many states require sellers of batteries to accept old
batteries for recycling.

272
Emergency operation of sliding/pop-up roof
Te ch n ica l
data
Instruments
and controls Operation Driving
Instrument
cluster display Practical hints
Car care Index
Emergency operation of sliding/pop-up roof
The sliding / pop-up roof can be opened or closed
manually should an electrical malfunction occur.
The sliding / pop-up roof drive is located behind the
cover between the front interior lamps.
1. Open cover by using a f lat blade screw driver at top edge.
2. Obtain crank (supplied with vehicle) and insert in hexagon drive hole, located at rear end of the open
cover. Note:
Push crank upward while turning it, to disengage the
electric motor.
To slide the roof closed or to raise the roof at the rear:
turn crank clockwise.
To slide the roof open or to lower the roof at the rear:
turn crank counterclockwise.
Important!
After manually operating the sliding / pop-up roof, a
timing synchronization is needed for future electrical
operation of the roof. To do so, remove fuse for sliding/
pop-up roof operation, located in fuse box, for one
second and reinstall. Now push and hold switch until
the sliding / pop-up roof is fully raised. Continue to hold
switch for another second.
R ESETM O
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