
Several situations may arise requiring some form of disposal action, including:
Scrapping a vehicle containing a deployed air bag module and/or ETR.  
Scrapping a vehicle with a live air bag module and/or ETR.  
Disposal of a live but electrically faulty air bag module and/or ETR.  
Disposal of a deployed air bag module and/or ETR.  
DEPLOYED AIR BAG OR ETR 
Deployed air bag module and/or ETR unit can be thrown away. None of its components are reusable. Deployed 
air bag module is NOT classified as hazardous material. 
SCRAPPED VEHICLE 
1. Before proceeding, follow service precautions. See SERVICE PRECAUTIONS . Move vehicle 
outdoors to a remote area, away from workshop and other personnel. Disconnect and shield negative 
battery cable. Open all vehicle windows and doors.  
2. Ensure air bag module is secured to steering wheel, and passenger air bag is secured to dash. Ensure ETR 
seat belt assemblies are secured to "B" pillars and all seat belt buckles are latched. Remove loose objects 
from front seat. DO NOT allow anyone inside vehicle.  
3. Disable air bag system. See DISABLING & ACTIVATING AIR BAG SYSTEM
 . Connect Trigger 
Device (126-589-00-90-00) and Adapter Cable (126 589 21 63 00) to SRS system connector (X29/9) 
located at passenger footwell area. See Fig. 5
 . Move away from vehicle as far as trigger device wiring 
will allow.  
4. To deploy driver air bag and ETR, turn rotary knob on trigger device to position No. 1. Push battery 
check pushbutton and ignition pushbutton simultaneously. Trigger light should illuminate indicating 
driver air bag and ETR deployed. If trigger light is illuminated and driver air bag and/or ETR did not 
deploy, driver air bag module and/or ETR is faulty. See UNDEPLOYED AIR BAG/ETR
 .  
5. To deploy passenger air bag detonator No. 1, turn rotary knob on trigger device to position No. 2. Push 
battery check pushbutton and ignition pushbutton simultaneously. Trigger light should illuminate 
indicating passenger air bag detonator No. 1 deployed. If trigger light is illuminated and passenger air bag 
detonator No. 1 did not deploy, passenger air bag module is faulty. See UNDEPLOYED AIR 
BAG/ETR .  
6. To deploy passenger air bag detonator No. 2, turn rotary knob on trigger device to position No. 3. Push 
battery check pushbutton and ignition pushbutton simultaneously. Trigger light should illuminate 
indicating passenger air bag detonator No. 2 deployed. If trigger light is illuminated and passenger air bag 
detonator No. 2 did not deploy, passenger air bag module is faulty. See UNDEPLOYED AIR 
BAG/ETR .   WARNING:An undeployed air bag module and/or ETR seat belt CANNOT be disposed 
of without first being deployed. If this is not possible through procedures 
outlined below, contact vehicle manufacturer for further instructions. 
Perform remote deployment outdoors. Keep personnel at least 20 feet 
away.
 
1998 Mercedes-Benz ML320 
AIR BAG RESTRAINT SYSTEM 1998 AIR BAG RESTRAINT SYSTEMS Mercedes-Benz  
me  
Saturday, October 02, 2010 3:33:13 PMPage 4 © 2006 Mitchell Repair Information Company, LLC.  

2 Contents
Fog lamp switch 
(except Canada) ........................... 92
Fog lamp switch 
(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
Basic setting – 
Air conditioner  ........................... 100
Special setting  ............................ 101
Dust filter  .................................... 102
Air recirculation  ......................... 102
Rear window defroster  .............. 103
Power windows ............................... 104
Rear quarter windows  ................... 106
Sliding/pop-up roof  ....................... 107
Skyview Top .................................... 109
Interior lighting  ..............................110
Sun visors  ........................................113Illuminated vanity mirrors  ........... 113
Interior ............................................. 114
Storage compartments, 
armrest and cup holder  ............ 114
Glove box ...................................... 115
Armrest in rear bench seat ........... 117
Ashtrays ........................................... 118
Lighter .............................................. 119
Split rear seat bench ..................... 120
Easy entry/exit feature ............. 123
Rear seat head restraints  ......... 124
Third row seats  .............................. 126
Removable cargo floor plates  ...... 129
Enlarged cargo area  .......................131
Cargo tie-down rings  .....................132
Hooks ...............................................133
Partition net  ....................................133
Loading instructions  ......................136
Cargo area cover blind  ..................137
Telephone, general  .........................139
Cellular telephone  ..........................139
Garage door opener ....................... 140
DrivingControl and operation of 
radio transmitters  ..................... 146
The first 1 000 miles 
(1 500 km)  ................................. 147
Maintenance ................................... 147
Tele Aid  ........................................... 148
Catalytic converter  ........................ 160
Emission control  ............................ 161
Steering lock  ................................... 162
Starting and turning off 
the engine  .................................. 164
Automatic transmission  ............... 165
Parking brake  ................................. 173
Driving instructions  ...................... 174
Drive sensibly – save fuel  ......... 174
Drinking and driving ................. 174
Pedals ........................................... 174
Power assistance  ........................ 175
Brakes .......................................... 175
Driving off  ................................... 176
Parking ........................................ 176
Tires ............................................. 177 

5 Contents
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  ......................280
Window cleaning ........................ 281
Wiper blades  ............................... 281
Light alloy wheels  ...................... 281
Instrument cluster  ..................... 281
Steering wheel and
gear selector lever  ...................... 281Cup holder  .................................. 282
Seat belts ..................................... 282
Headliner .................................... 282
Upholstery .................................. 282
Hard plastic trim items ............. 282
Plastic and rubber parts  ........... 282
Technical dataSpare parts service  ....................... 284
Warranty coverage  ........................ 284
Identification labels  ...................... 285
Layout of poly-V-belt drive  ........... 286
Technical data  ................................ 287
Fuels, coolants, lubricants 
etc. – capacities  ........................ 292
Engine oils ...................................... 294
Engine oil additives  ...................... 294
Air conditioner refrigerant  .......... 294Brake fluid  ......................................294
Premium unleaded gasoline  ........295
Fuel requirements  .........................295
Gasoline additives  .........................296
Coolants ...........................................296
Consumer information  ..................298
IndexIndex ................................................300 

20 Instruments and controls
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Center console1Left front seat heater switch, see page 44
2Switch for rear quarter window, left, see page 106
3Switch for rear window washer /wiper, see page 96
4ESP control switch, see page 207
5Switch for rear quarter window, right, see page 106
6Right front seat heater switch, see page 44
7Storage compartment
8Selector lever, see page 165
9Ashtray with lighter, see page 118
10Power window switch, left front door, see page 104
11Central locking switch, see page 32
12Rear window defroster switch, see page 103
13Power window switch, right front door, see page 104
14Power window switch, left rear door, see page 104
15Mirror adjustment switch, see page 73
16Power window safety switch, rear doors, see 
page 104
17Power window switch, right rear door, see page 104 

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 

23 Contents - Operation
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Basic setting – 
Air conditioner  ........................... 100
Special setting  ............................ 101
Dust filter  .................................... 102
Air recirculation  ......................... 102
Rear window defroster  .............. 103
Power windows ............................... 104
Rear quarter windows  ................... 106
Sliding/pop-up roof  ....................... 107
Skyview Top .................................... 109
Interior lighting  ..............................110
Sun visors  ........................................113Illuminated vanity mirrors  ........... 113
Interior ............................................. 114
Storage compartments, 
armrest and cup holder  ............ 114
Glove box ...................................... 115
Armrest in rear bench seat ........... 117
Ashtrays ........................................... 118
Lighter .............................................. 119
Split rear seat bench ..................... 120
Easy entry/exit feature ............. 123
Rear seat head restraints  ......... 124
Third row seats  .............................. 126Removable cargo floor plates  ....... 129
Enlarged cargo area  ....................... 131
Cargo tie-down rings  ..................... 132
Hooks ............................................... 133
Partition net  .................................... 133
Loading instructions  ..................... 136
Cargo area cover blind  .................. 137
Telephone, general  ........................ 139
Cellular telephone  ......................... 139
Garage door opener  ....................... 140 

35 Antitheft alarm system
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Antitheft alarm system
The indicator lamp is located in the center console.
The antitheft alarm is automatically armed or disarmed 
with the remote control by locking or unlocking the 
vehicle.
The antitheft alarm is armed within approximately 
15 seconds after locking the vehicle with the remote 
control.
A blinking lamp in the center console indicates that the 
alarm is armed.
Notes:
Use of the key in the front door locks does not arm or 
disarm the antitheft alarm system.
The alarm sounds when unlocking the driver’s door 
with the mechanical key. Cancel alarm by turning key in 
steering lock to position 1, or with the remote control by 
pressing buttonŒ.
If the vehicle battery voltage falls below 10 volts, the 
alarm is automatically canceled and the antitheft alarm 
system is disarmed. When the voltage is above this 
value again, the antitheft alarm system is armed again.Operation:
Once the alarm system has been armed, the turn signal 
lamps will flash rapidly (approximately 3 minutes) and 
the horn will sound intermittently (approximately 
30 seconds) when someone:
•opens a door,
•opens the liftgate,
•opens the hood,
•breaks a window,
•attempts to raise the vehicle.
The alarm will stay on even if the activating element (a 
door, for example) is immediately closed.
If the alarm stays on for more than 20 seconds, an 
emergency call is initiated automatically. See Tele Aid 
on page 148.
Note:
The alarm system will cycle three times when triggered.
The interior lights are automatically switched on when 
the alarm comes on and go out when canceling the 
alarm. 

36 Tow-away protection
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Tow-away alarm and glass breakage sensor
The switch is located in the overhead console.
The tow-away alarm and glass breakage sensor are part 
of the antitheft alarm system.
Once the alarm system has been armed, the turn signal 
lamps will flash rapidly and the horn will sound when 
someone attempts to raise the vehicle, or breaks a 
window and reaches into the passenger compartment.The alarm will last approximately 3 minutes in the form 
of rapidly flashing turn signal lamps. At the same time 
the horn will sound for approximately 30 seconds. The 
alarm will stay on even if the vehicle is immediately 
lowered.
If the alarm stays on for more than 20 seconds, an 
emergency call is initiated automatically. See Tele Aid 
on page 148.
To prevent triggering the tow-away alarm feature, switch 
off the tow-away alarm and glass breakage sensor before 
towing the vehicle, or when parking on a surface subject 
to movement, such as a ferry or auto train.
To do so, turn key in steering lock to position 1, then 
return it to position 0 and remove key from steering 
lock.
Within 30 seconds, push left or right button. (On 
vehicles equipped with optional trip computer, push 
RESET or MODE button, display shows OFF.)
Exit vehicle, and lock vehicle with remote control.
The tow-away alarm and glass breakage sensor remain 
switched off until the key is inserted in steering lock 
and turned to position 1.