1997 MERCEDES-BENZ ML500 oil

77
Instrument cluster
Te ch n ica l
data
Instruments
and controls Operation
Driving Instrument
cluster display Practical hints Car care Index
1
Coolant temperature gauge, see page 81
2 Outside temperature indicator (optional), see
page 82
3 Fuel gauge with reserve and fuel cap placement
warning lamp, see page 220
4 Left turn signal indicator lamp, see exterior lamp
switch, page 90
5 Knob for odometer / trip odometer readout / reset,
FSS indicator, and intensity of instrument lamps,
see page 80
6 4-ETS+ and ESP warning lamp, see page 221
For 4-ETS+ (four wheel electronic traction system),
see page 203;
for ESP (electronic stability program), see page 205. 7
Speedometer
8 Selectable:
Trip odometer, see page 80
Main odometer, see page 80
FSS display, see page 87
Engine oil level indicator, see page 89
9 Right turn signal indicator lamp, see exterior lamp
switch, page 90
10 Knob for setting clock, see page 80
11 Tachometer, see page 82
12 Gear range indicator display, see selector lever
positions, page 168
13 Clock, see page 80

78
Instrument cluster
Te ch n ica l
data
Instruments
and controls Operation
Driving Instrument
cluster display Practical hints Car care Index
Indicator lamps in the instrument cluster High beam
BAS malfunction, see page 221
ESP malfunction, see page 221
4-ETS+ malfunction, see page 221
ABS malfunction, see page 222
Brake pads worn down, see page 225
Engine oil level low, see page 224
Coolant level low, see page 224
Transmission in LOW RANGE mode,
see page 221 ESP and 4-ETS+. Adjust driving to road
condition, see page 221
Brake fluid low, see page 219
EBP malfunction, see page 204
Parking brake engaged, see page 173
Front passenger airbag automatically
switched off, see page 53
Front fog lamp, see page 92
Steering wheel adjustment not locked,
see page 70
Fasten seat belts,
see page 223
Battery not being charged properly,
see page 223
SRS malfunction, see page 219
BAS ESPABSLOW
RANGE
BRAKESRS

80
Instrument cluster
Te ch n ica l
data
Instruments
and controls Operation
Driving Instrument
cluster display Practical hints Car care Index
Activating instrument cluster display
The display for temperature, odometer, oil level
indicator and clock is activated by:
• Opening the driver’s door.
• Pressing button (1) in the instrument cluster (with
key removed or in steering lock position 0).
• Turning the key in steering lock to position 1 or 2. Display illumination
Rotate knob (1) to vary intensity of instrument lamps: • Clockwise - instrument lamp intensity increases.
• Counterclockwise - instrument lamp intensity
decreases.
Odometer/trip odometer
Activate the instrument cluster. • Press knob (1) once to switch to or from odometer to
trip odometer readout.
• Press and hold knob (1) for more than 1 second to
reset trip odometer (with trip odometer displayed).
• Press knob (1) twice to display next scheduled
service.
Clock
Adjusting clock (instrument cluster activated):
Minute: Pull out knob (2) and turn it to the right.
Hour: Pull out knob (2) and turn it to the left.

88
Flexible service system
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Instruments
and controls Operation
Driving Instrument
cluster display Practical hints Car care Index
Important!
The FSS indicator is not an engine oil level indicator.
See page 89 for engine oil level indicator.
Notes:
When disconnecting vehicle battery for one or more
days at a time, such days will not be counted. Any such
days not counted by the FSS can be added by your
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center.
The interval between services is determined by the type
of driving for which the vehicle is used. For example,
driving at extreme speeds, and cold starts combined
with short distance driving in which the engine does not
reach normal operating temperature, reduce the interval
between services.
Following a completed A or B service the Mercedes-
Benz Light Truck Center sets the counter mileage to
10 000 miles (Canada: 15 000 km) and 365 days.
The counter can also be set by any individual. To do so: 1. Turn the key in steering lock to position 2.
2. Immediately press button (1) twice within one second. 3. The present status for days or distance is displayed.
Within 10 seconds turn key in steering lock to
position 0.
4. Press and hold button (1), while turning key in steering lock to position 2 again. The present status
for days or distance is displayed once more.
Continue to hold button (1).
After approximately 10 seconds a signal sounds, and
the display shows 10 000 miles (Canada: 15 000 km)
for approximately 10 seconds.
5. Release button (1).
If the FSS counter was inadvertently reset, have it
corrected at a Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center.
Notes:
The FSS allows for distances between 10 000 miles
(Canada: 15 000 km) and 20 000 miles (Canada:
30 000 km), or from 365 to 730 days between services.
However you choose to set your reference numbers, the
scheduled services as posted in the Service Booklet
must be followed to properly care for your vehicle.

89
Engine oil level indicator
Te ch n ica l
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Instruments
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Driving Instrument
cluster display Practical hints Car care Index
Engine oil level indicator
To check the engine oil level, park vehicle on level
ground, with engine at normal operational temperature.
Check oil level approximately 5 minutes after stopping
the engine, allowing for the oil to return to the oil pan.
Turn the key in steering lock to position 2 and wait until
the display “––––––” appears in the odometer display
field.
Within 1 second press button (1) twice. The following messages are available:
“OIL i.O”
No oil needs to be added.
“–1.0 L”
“–1.5 L”
“–2.0 L”
Add oil to upper (max) mark of the dipstick.
See page 233 for instructions on adding engine oil.
“OIL HI”
Do not overfill the engine.
Excessive 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.
The display “––––––” flashes in the odometer display
field if a proper oil level check cannot be performed. The
engine oil level check can be repeated after a short time.
Perform the engine oil level check with the dipstick, if it
cannot be completed via the odometer display field.
See page 233.
In this case we recommend that you have the system
checked at a Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center.

157
Tele Aid
Te ch n ica l
data
Instruments
and controls Operation
Driving Instrument
cluster display Practical hints Car care Index
Important!
If the indicator lamp continues to flash or the system
does not reset, contact the Response Center at
1-800-756-9018 (in the USA) or 1-888-923-8367 (in
Canada), or Mercedes-Benz Client Assistance at
1-800-FOR-MERCedes (1-800-367-6372) in the USA or
Customer Service at 1-800-387-0100 in Canada.
Notes:
The indicator lamp for the respective button flashes
until the call is concluded and this can only be
completed by a Response Center or Client Assistance
Center representative, except Roadside assistance and
Information calls, which can also be terminated by
using the End button on the MCS unit.
When a Tele Aid call has been initiated, the MCS system
audio is muted and the selected mode (radio, tape or
CD) pauses. The optional cellular phone (if installed)
switches off. If you must use this phone, the vehicle
must be parked. Disconnect the coiled cord and place
the call. The navigation system (if engaged) will
continue to run. A pop-up window will appear in the
MCS display to indicate that a Tele Aid call is in
progress. Remote door unlock
In the case you have your vehicle locked unintentionally
(e.g. key inside vehicle), and the reserve key is not
handy, contact the Mercedes-Benz Response Center at
1-800-756-9018 (in the USA) or 1-888-923-8367 (in
Canada). You will be asked to provide your password
which you provided when you completed the subscriber
agreement.
Then return to your vehicle and pull outside handle of
liftgate for a minimum of 20 seconds until the “SOS”
button is flashing.
As an alternative, you may unlock the vehicle via
Internet using the ID and password sent to you shortly
after the completion of your Acquaintance Call.
The Response Center will then unlock your vehicle with
the remote door unlocking feature.
Note:
The remote door unlock feature is available if the
relevant cellular phone network is available.
The SOS button will f lash and the message
“EMERGENCY CALL – CALL CONNECTED” will appear
in t he MCS display to indica te receipt of t he d oor unlock
command.

181
Driving instructions
Te ch n ica l
data
Instruments
and controls Operation
Driving Instrument
cluster display Practical hints Car care Index
Winter driving
Have your vehicle winterized at your authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center before the onset of
winter.
• Change the engine oil if the engine contains an oil
which is not approved for winter operation. For
viscosity (SAE / CCMC class) and filling quantity,
see page 292.
• Check engine coolant anticorrosion / antifreeze
concentration.
• Additive for the windshield washer and headlamp
cleaning system: Add MB Concentrate “S” to a
premixed windshield washer solvent / antifreeze
which is formulated for below freezing temperatures
see page 237.
• Test battery: Battery capacity drops with decreasing
ambient temperature. A well charged battery helps
to ensure that the engine can be started, even at low
ambient temperatures.
• Tires: We recommend M+S rated radial-ply tires on
all four wheels for the winter season. Observe
permissible maximum speed for M+S rated
radial-ply tires and the legal speed limit. In winter operation, the maximum effectiveness of the
antilock brake system (ABS), the four wheel electronic
traction system (4-ETS+), the electronic stability
program (ESP), and electronic brake proportioning
(EBP) can only be achieved with M+S rated radial-ply
tires and / or snow chains recommended by
Mercedes-Benz. Snow chains maximize performance.
For driving instructions using snow chains see
page 179.
Deep water
Caution!
Do not drive through flooded areas or water of unknown
depth. Before driving through water, determine its
depth. It should not be deeper than approximately
20 inches (50 cm).
If you must drive through deep water, drive slowly to
prevent water from entering the engine compartment or
passenger compartment, being ingested by the air
intake, possibly causing damage to electrical
components or wiring, to engine or transmission that is
not covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.

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.