2000 MERCEDES-BENZ M-CLASS lights

28 Central locking system
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Locking:
Press transmit button ‹ once. All turn signal lamps
blink three times to indicate that the vehicle is locked
and the antitheft alarm is activated.
Notes:
If the turn signal lamps do not blink three times when
locking the vehicle, a door, the liftgate, or the hood is
not properly closed. Close the respective element and
lock the vehicle again with the remote control.
If the vehicle cannot be locked or unlocked by pressing
the transmit button, then it may be necessary to change
the batteries in the remote control or to synchronize the
remote control, see page 270 and page 271.
Unlocking the liftgate
Press transmit button Š to unlock the liftgate. This
also deactivates the antitheft alarm.
Important!
A minimum height clearance of 7 ft. (2.15 m) is
required to open the liftgate.Panic button
To activate press and hold button (1) for at least one
second. An audible alarm and blinking turn signal
lamps will operate for approximately 3 minutes.
Additionally the interior lights switch on automatically
for approximately 3 minutes.
To deactivate press button (1) again, or press transmit
button‹, ŒorŠ on the remote control, or
turn key in steering lock to position 1.
ProCarManuals.com

33 Central locking system
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Notes:
If doors are unlocked with the central locking switch
after activating the automatic central locking, and
neither door is opened, then the doors remain unlocked
even at vehicle speeds of approximately 9 mph
(15 km / h) or more.
If a door is opened from the inside at speeds of
approximately 9mph (15km/h) or less with the
automatic central locking activated, the door will again
be automatically locked at speeds of approximately
9 mph (15 km / h) or more.
Important!
When towing the vehicle, or with the vehicle on a
dynamometer test stand, please, note the following:
With the engine running, the vehicle doors will lock if
the left front wheel spins at vehicle speeds of
approximately 9 mph (15 km / h) or more.
To prevent vehicle door locks from locking, deactivate
the automatic central locking.Emergency unlocking in case of accident
The doors unlock automatically a short time after an
accident in which an airbag or emergency tensioning
retractor deploys (this is intended to aid rescue and
exit). However, the key must still be in the steering lock
position 1 or 2.
Additionally the hazard warning flashers turn on
automatically and the interior lights switch on for
approximately 30 minutes.
ProCarManuals.com

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.
ProCarManuals.com

44 Seats
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Heated seats (front, optional on ML 320)
The front seat heater switches are located on the center
console.
The front seat heaters can be switched on with the
engine running.Press switch to turn on seat heater:
1Normal seat heating mode. One indicator lamp in
the switch lights up.
2Rapid seat heating mode. Both indicator lamps in
the switch light up.
After approximately 5 minutes in the rapid seat
heating mode, the seat heater automatically
switches to normal operation and only one indicator
lamp will stay on.
Turning off seat heater:
If one indicator lamp is on, press upper half of switch.
If both indicator lamps are on, press lower half of
switch.
If left on, the seat heater automatically turns off after
approximately 20 minutes of operation.
P54.25-2036-26
12
ProCarManuals.com

72 Rear view mirrors
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Automatic (optional on ML 320):
With the key in steering lock position 2 and the
automatic antiglare function activated, the mirror
reflection brightness responds to changes in light
sensitivity.
To a ctiva te:
Press button (1). The green indicator lamp in the rear
view mirror lights up.To deactivate:
Press button (1) again. The indicator lamp in the rear
view mirror goes out. The mirror brightness does not
respond to changes in light sensitivity.
Notes:
With gear selector lever in position “R”, or with the
interior lamps (except cargo compartment lamp)
switched on, the mirror brightness does not respond to
changes in light sensitivity.
The automatic antiglare function does not react, if
incoming light is not aimed directly at sensors in the
mirror.
Wa r n i n g !
In the case of an accident liquid electrolyte may
escape the mirror housing when the mirror glass
breaks.Electrolyte has an irritating effect. Do not allow the
liquid come into contact with eyes, skin, clothing,
or respiratory system. In cases it does, immediately
flush affected area with water, and seek medical
help if necessary.
ProCarManuals.com

102 Climate control
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Windshield fogged up on outside.
Switch on wiper motor.
Set air distribution control switch to positiond
ora.
Dust filter
Nearly all dust particles and pollen are filtered out
before outside air enters the passenger compartment
through the air distribution system.
Note:
Keep the air intake grille in front of windshield free of
snow and debris.
Climate control – OFF
To switch the climate control off, set air volume control
switch to position0.
Switch off air conditioning mode œ. Control lamp in
button goes out.Air recirculation
This mode can be selected to temporarily reduce the
entry of annoying odors or dust into the vehicle’s
interior.
Outside air is not supplied to the vehicles’s interior.
To select, press O button. Indicator lamp in button
lights up.
To cancel, press O button again. Indicator lamp in
button goes out.
If the windows should fog up from the inside, switch
from recirculated air back to fresh air.
ProCarManuals.com

166 Automatic transmission
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Driving
The selector lever is automatically locked while in
position “P”. To move the selector lever out of
position “P”, the service brake pedal must be firmly
depressed before the shift lock will release.
Shift selector lever to the desired position only when the
engine is idling normally and the service brake is
applied. Do not release the brake until ready to drive.
The vehicle may otherwise start creeping when the
selector lever is in drive or reverse position.Important!
After selecting any driving position from “N” or “P”,
wait a moment to allow the gear to fully engage before
accelerating, especially when the engine is cold.
Accelerator position
Partial throttle = early upshifting = normal acceleration
Full throttle = later upshifting = rapid acceleration
Kickdown (depressing the accelerator beyond full
throttle) = downshifting to a lower gear = maximum
acceleration. Once the desired speed is attained, ease up
on the accelerator – the transmission shifts up again.
Stopping
For brief stops, e.g. at traffic lights, leave the
transmission in gear and hold vehicle with the service
brake.
For longer stops with the engine idling, shift into “N”
or “P” and hold the vehicle with the service brake.
When stopping the vehicle on an uphill gradient, do not
hold it with the accelerator, use the brake. This avoids
unnecessary transmission heat build up.
Wa r n i n g !
It is dangerous to shift the selector lever out of “P”
or “N” if the engine speed is higher than idle speed.
If your foot is not firmly on the brake pedal, the
vehicle could accelerate quickly forward or in
reverse. You could lose control of the vehicle and
hit someone or something. Only shift into gear
when the engine is idling normally and when your
right foot is firmly on the brake pedal.
ProCarManuals.com

209 Driving systems
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Transmission control – LOW RANGE mode
The switch is located in the instrument panel.
Important!
When switching to or from the LOW RANGE mode,
observe the following:
•The vehicle must be at a complete standstill.
•The engine speed must not exceed 1500 rpm.Failure to do so may result in transmission / engine
damage not covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty
The LOW RANGE mode should be switched on:
•during off-road driving,
•when crossing waters.
For additional practical hints refer to off-road driving
on page 183.
Switching on:
1. Sto p t h e v e h i c l e .
2. Move transmission selector lever to position “N”.
3. Push top end of switch. The LOW RANGE indicator
lamp in the instrument cluster blinks slowly during
the changeover.
Once the changeover is complete, the indicator lamp in
the instrument cluster lights up continuously.
Note:
If the indicator lamp blinks fast, one or more switching
conditions were not observed, or the LOW RANGE mode
is defective.
ProCarManuals.com