1997 MERCEDES-BENZ ML500 fold seats

1 Contents
IntroductionProduct information .......................... 7
Roadside assistance ......................... 10
Where to find it ................................ 14
Reporting Safety Defects ................ 16Instruments and controlsInstruments and controls ............... 18
Center console .............................. 20
Overhead control panel ............... 21OperationVehicle 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 ........................... 29Doors ................................................. 30
Central locking switch .................... 32
Automatic central locking .......... 32
Emergency unlocking in case
of accident ................................... 33
Liftgate .............................................. 34
Antitheft alarm system ................... 35
Tow-away alarm and
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 ................................ 53Supplemental 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

22 Contents - Operation
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical 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 ................................... 40Head 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 ...................71Antiglare 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

120 Interior equipment
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Split rear seat bench
The rear seat bench can be moved fore / aft, folded and
lowered to increase the cargo area. The left, right or
both seat back sections may folded down according to
need.To slide rear seat bench fore / aft:
1. Pull lever (1) in direction of arrow, and slide seat
bench section to desired position until it locks in
place.
To enlarge cargo area:
1. Close cup holder in rear center console.
2. Move front seats forward, see page 39 for manual
seats and page 40 for power seats.
3. Pull lever (1) in direction of arrow, and slide seat
bench section forward.
4. Remove head restraint(s). The head restraint(s)
should be stored beneath the cargo f loor plates.

122 Interior equipment
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
To return seat bench section to sitting position:
1. Pull lever (1) and raise seat bench section until it
locks in place.
2. Pull lock button (2) up, and unfold seat back to
upright position. Check for secure locking by
pushing and pulling on the backrest. The red
backrest lock indicators at the lock buttons (2) are
not visible in locked position.
3. Pull lever (1) in direction of arrow, and slide seat
bench section rearward to desired position.4. Install and adjust head restraint.
For installation of head restraints see page 124.
Wa r n i n g !
Failure to assure that seats are locked into place
could result in an increased chance of injury in an
accident.Never place hands under seat or near any moving
parts while a seat is being adjusted.

123 Interior equipment
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Easy entry/exit feature
(only in vehicles with third row seats)
Folding right seat bench section for access to rear
compartment area:
1. Move right front seat forward.
2. Slide seat bench section forward.
3. Push head restraint fully down and tilt it forward,
see page 43.4. Pull lock button (2) of seat back up, and fold seat
back forward.
5. Remove respective cargo floor plate, see page 129.
6. Pull lever (6) up, and fold seat bench section
forward.
Resetting seat bench:
1. Pull down on seat bench section until it locks into
place.
2. Pull lock button (2) up, and unfold seat back to
upright position. Check for secure locking by
pushing and pulling on the backrest. The backrest
lock indicators at the lock buttons (2) are not visible
in locked position.
3. Pull up and adjust head restraint.
Caution!
Never drive with the second row right seat folded
forward (easy entry/exit feature). It could open and fold
back unintentionally.
When unfolding the seat, be sure that there is no danger
of anyone being harmed by the procedure.

126 Interior equipment
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Third row seats (MB Accessory)
Two single seats can be unfolded to enlarge the seating
area.
To fold seat down:
1. Remove head restraint from seat cushion.
2. Remove cargo f loor plate, see page 129.
3. Lift tensioner (1) upward to a horizontal position to
release tension of the strap.4. Disengage hook (2) and attach belt at hook and loop
strip on underside of seat.
5. Fold seat down until it locks securely in place.
Important!
When seat is correctly unfolded, the red marking on
the seat release (4) should not be visible.
6. Store cargo floor plates inside the backrest, see
page 130.
4

127 Interior equipment
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index 7. Pull release lever (3) and unfold seat back until it
locks securely in place.
8. Install head restraint in seat back.
Note:
For removal and installation of head restraint refer to
rear seat head restraints on page 124.
To sto r e s ea t:
1. Remove head restraint from seat back.
2. Pull release lever (3) and fold seat back forward
until it audibly locks securely in place. Place seat
belt between lever (3) and backrest.
3. Remove cargo floor plates from the backrest.
4. Pull seat release (4) and fold seat up. Engage
hook (2) in ceiling mount. Pull on free end of strap
until tight.
5. Install head restraint in openings provided in seat
cushion.
6. Install cargo floor plates, see page 129.
Wa r n i n g !
Failure to assure that seats are locked into place
could result in an increased chance of injury in an
accident.Never place hands under seat or near any moving
parts while a seat is being adjusted.For your protection, drive only with properly
positioned head restraints.Adjust head restraint to support the back of the
head approximately at ear level.

247 Tires, Wheels
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index 6. Place jack on firm ground. Position the jack under
t he take-up bracket so t hat it is always ve rtical
(plumb-line) as seen from the side, even if the
vehicle is parked on an incline.
7. Open jack further until jack arm end seats firmly in
the take-up bracket and its base sits sq uarely on the
ground. Jack up the vehicle until the wheel is clear
of the ground. Never start engine while vehicle is
raised.8. Unscrew and remove all wheel bolts. Keep bolt
threads protected from dirt and sand.
9. Remove wheel. Grip wheel from the sides. Keep
hands from beneath the wheels.
Clean contact surfaces of wheel and wheel hub.
Install spare wheel on wheel hub. Insert wheel bolts
and tighten them slightly.
10. Lower vehicle to ground. Remove jack.
Before storing the jack, it should be fully collapsed, with
handle folded in.
For proper storage of jack see page 237.