1997 MERCEDES-BENZ ML500 window

183 Driving instructions
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical 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.

195 Driving instructions
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index At very steep inclines, not manageable with selector
lever in position “1”, switch transfer case to LOW
RANGE, see page 209 for instructions on how to engage
LOW RANGE.
When going down a long hill, shift into a lower gear and
use the engine’s braking effect. Avoid riding the brakes,
thus overheating the vehicle and trailer brakes.
If the engine coolant rises to an extremely high
temperature (coolant temperature needle approaching
the red zone) when the air conditioner is on, turn off the
air conditioner. Engine coolant heat can be additionally
vented by opening the windows, switching the climate
control fan speed to high and setting the temperature
control to the maximum hot position.
Extreme care must be exercised since your vehicle with
a trailer will require additional passing distance ahead
than when driving without a trailer. Because your
vehicle and trailer is longer than your vehicle alone, you
will also need to go much farther ahead of the passed
vehicle before you can return to your lane.Parking
Wa r n i n g !
To reduce the risk of personal injury, or damage to
the vehicle powertrain, as a result of vehicle/trailer
movement, always:1. Keep right foot on brake pedal.2. Shift gear selector lever to position “N”.3. Have a second person place wheel chocks on
downhill side of left and right trailer wheels.4. Slowly release brake pedal and let vehicle and
trailer roll into chocks until stopped.5. Firmly depress parking brake pedal.6. Move gear selector lever to position “P”.7. On inclines turn front wheels towards the road
curb.

215 Check regulary and before a long trip
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Check regularly and before a long trip 1Engine oil level
See “Checking engine oil level” on page 233 and
“Engine oil level indicator” on page 89.
2Coolant level
See “Coolant level” on page 234.
3Brake fluid
See “Brake fluid” on page 294.
4Windshield washer system/
Headlamp cleaning system/
Rear window washer system
For refilling reservoir see page 236.
Opening hood, see page 231.
Ve h i c l e l i g h t i n g : Check function and cleanliness. For
replacement of light bulbs, see “Exterior lamps” on
page 260.
Exterior lamp switch, see page 90.

236 Engine compartment
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index
Windshield washer/headlamp cleaning system
The reservoir should be refilled with MB Windshield
washer concentrate and water (or commercially
available premixed windshield washer solvent/
antifreeze, depending on ambient temperatures).
1Windshield washer / headlamp cleaning / rear
window wiper / washer system fluid reservoir
Vehicles without headlamp cleaning system:
Capacity approximately 5.3 US qt (5.0 l).
Vehicles with headlamp cleaning system:
Capacity approximately 8.0 US qt (7.6 l).
Wa r n i n g !
Washer solvent / antifreeze is highly flammable. Do
not spill washer solvent / antifreeze on hot engine
parts, because it may burn. You can be seriously
burned.

275 Replacing wiper blades
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index Replacing wiper blades
For safety reasons, remove key from steering lock before
replacing the wiper blade, otherwise the motor can
suddenly turn on and cause injury.
Notes:
Do not open engine hood with wiper arm folded forward.
Do not allow the wiper arm to contact the windshield
glass without a wiper blade inserted. The glass may be
scratched or broken.
Make certain that the wiper blade is properly installed.
An improperly installed wiper blade may cause
windshield damage.
The wiper with air spoiler should be mounted on the
driver’s side.Replacing windshield/rear window wiper blade
Removal:
Fold wiper arm (1) forward (windshield) / rearward (rear
window) and turn wiper blade (2) at a right angle to the
arm. Push safety tab (3) of attachment link (4) and slide
the wiper blade from the end of the wiper arm. Remove
the wiper blade.
Installation:
Slide wiper blade into end of wiper arm until it locks in
place.
P82.30-0338-26
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277 Contents - Vehicle care
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar careIndex
Vehicle careCleaning and care
of the vehicle .............................278
Power washer ..............................279
Tar stains .....................................279
Paintwork, painted body
components .................................279
Engine cleaning ..........................280
Vehicle washing .........................280
Ornamental moldings ................280
Headlamps, taillamps,
turn signal lenses ......................280Window cleaning ....................... 281
Wiper blades .............................. 281
Light alloy wheels ..................... 281
Instrument cluster ..................... 281
Steering wheel and
gear selector lever ..................... 281
Cup holder .................................. 282
Seat belts ..................................... 282
Headliner .................................... 282
Upholstery .................................. 282
Hard plastic trim items ............. 282
Plastic and rubber parts ........... 282

278 Cleaning and care of the vehicle
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar careIndex
Cleaning and care of the vehicle
In operation, your vehicle is subjected to varying
external inf luences which, if gone unchecked, can
attack the paintwork as well as the underbody and
cause lasting damage.
Such damage is caused not only by extreme and varying
climatic conditions, but also by air polution, road salt,
tar, gravel and stone chipping. Grease and oil, fuel,
coolant, brake fluid, bird droppings, insects, tree resins
etc. should be removed immediately to avoid paint
damage. Frequent washing reduces and / or eliminates
the aggressiveness and potency of the above adverse
influences.More frequent washings are necessary to deal with
unfavorable conditions; for example, near the ocean, in
industrial areas (smoke, exhaust emissions), or during
winter operation.
You should check your vehicle from time to time for
stone chipping or other damage. Any damage should be
repaired as soon as possible to prevent the start of
corrosion.
In doing so, do not neglect the underside of the vehicle.
A prerequisite for a thorough check is a washing of the
underbody followed by a thorough inspection. Damaged
areas need to be reundercoated.
Your vehicle has been treated at the factory with a wax-
base ru stproof ing in th e body cavities w hich will la st for
the lifetime of the vehicle. Post-production treatment is
neither necessary nor recommended by Mercedes-Benz
because of the possibility of incompatibility between
materials used in the production process and others
applied later.
We have selected car-care products and compiled
recommendations which are specially matched to our
vehicles and which always reflect the latest technology.
You can obtain Mercedes-Benz approved car-care
products at your authorized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck
Center.
Wa r n i n g !
Many cleaning products can be hazardous. Some
are poisonous, others are flammable. Always follow
the instructions on the particular container.
Always open your vehicle’s doors or windows when
cleaning the inside.Never use fluids or solvents that are not designed
for cleaning your vehicle.

281 Cleaning and care of the vehicle
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar careIndex Window cleaning
Use a window cleaning solution on all glass surfaces. An
automotive glass cleaner is recommended.
Note:
For safety reasons, switch off wipers and remove key
from steering lock before cleaning the windshield,
otherwise the wiper motor can suddenly turn on and
cause injury.
Wiper blades
Clean the wiper blade rubbers with a clean cloth and
detergent solution.
Note:
For safety reasons, switch off wipers and remove key
from steering lock before cleaning the wiper blades,
otherwise the wiper motor can suddenly turn on and
cause injury.Light alloy wheels
Mercedes-Benz approved Wheel Care should be used for
regular cleaning of the light alloy wheels.
If possible, clean wheels once a week with
Mercedes-Benz approved Wheel Care, using a soft
bristle brush and a strong spray of water.
Follow instructions on container.
Note:
Use only acid-free cleaning materials. The acid could
lead to corrosion or may damage the clear coat.
Instrument cluster
Use a gentle dishwashing detergent or mild detergent
for delicate fabrics as a washing solution. Wipe with a
cloth moistened in lukewarm solution. Do not use
scouring agents.
Steering wheel and gear selector lever
Wipe with a damp cloth and dry thoroughly or clean
with Mercedes-Benz approved Leather Care.