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86 Instrument cluster
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical 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.
The instrument cluster display shuts off automatically.Display illumination
The instrument cluster illumination can be set with the
park lamps, low beam headlamps or high beam
headlamps switched on.
Rotate knob (1) to vary intensity of instrument lamps:
•Clockwise - instrument lamp intensity increases.
•Counterclockwise - instrument lamp intensity
decreases.
Odometer/trip odometer (8)
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.
2
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87 Instrument cluster
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Clock (13)
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.
Coolant temperature gauge (1)
During severe operating conditions and stop-and-go city
traffic, the coolant temperature may rise close to the red
marking.
The engine should not be operated with the coolant
temperature in the red zone. Doing so may cause
serious engine damage which is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
Wa r n i n g !
• Driving when your engine is badly overheated
can cause some fluids which may have leaked
into the engine compartment to catch fire. You
could be seriously burned.• Steam from an overheated engine can cause
serious burns and can occur just by opening
the engine hood. Stay away from the engine if
you see or hear steam coming from it.Turn off the engine, get out of the vehicle and do
not stand near the vehicle until it cools down.
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88 Instrument cluster
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Outside temperature indicator (2)
The temperature sensor is located in the front bumper
area. Due to its location, the sensor can be affected by
road or engine heat during idling or slow driving. This
means that the accuracy of the displayed temperature
can only be verified by comparison to a thermometer
placed next to the sensor, not by comparison to external
displays (e.g. bank signs etc.).
Adaptation to ambient temperature takes place in steps
and depends on the prevailing driving conditions (stop-
and-go or moderate, constant driving) and amount of
temperature change.Tachometer (11)
The tachometer displays the present engine speed in
revolutions per minute (RPM).
To help protect the engine, the fuel supply is interrupted
if the engine is operated above its specified limit.
Wa r n i n g !
The outside temperature indicator is not designed
to serve as an Ice-Warning Device and is therefore
unsuitable for that purpose. Indicated
temperatures just above the freezing point do not
guarantee that the road surface is free of ice.
Page 92 of 342

89 Trip computer
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Trip computer (optional on ML 320)
The trip computer is located in the overhead console.
Function keys are:
•RESET
•MODE
Note:
With engine not running, the display switches off
automatically 30 seconds after the last entry.To s e l e c t a m o d e :
With key in steering lock position 2, press MODE key
repeatedly to illuminate the display and scroll through
menu for one of the following options:
1. Date, see page 90.
2. Compass, see page 90.
3. Stop watch, see page 93.
4. Present fuel consumption – displays miles per
gallon or liters per 100 km.
5. Average fuel consumption – displays miles per
gallon or liters per 100 km, see page 93.
6. Distance remaining with fuel presently in tank.
Note:
The display flashes when fuel supply drops to the
reserve level. The distance remaining is no longer
shown.
7. Language – Press RESET key until the desired
language is displayed. Depending on language
selected, information is displayed in that country’s
customary system. See page 93.
8. Trip computer switched off.
MODE
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90 Trip computer
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
To change an entry, select mode to be changed:
•Date –
Press RESET key, the month shown blinks. Now
press MODE key to advance to selected month.
Press RESET key again, the day shown blinks. Now
press MODE key to advance to selected day.
Press RESET key again, the year shown blinks. Now
press MODE key to advance to selected year.
Press RESET key again, the display stops blinking
and the date is set.
•Compass –
The compass displays the direction the vehicle is
traveling, such as N, NE, E, SE, S, SW, W or NW.
Note:
The presence of buildings, bridges, power lines and
large antenna masts can influence the displayed
values. Metallic or magnetic objects in or on the
vehicle can influence the accuracy of the compass.To change the compass zones:
Determine the geographical point of the vehicle with the
aid of the zone maps below:
1. Turn key in steering lock to position 2.
2. Press MODE key repeatedly until the compass
display appears in the trip computer display.
3. Press RESET key to select the compass zone mode.
The zone selected last is shown in the display.
4. Press RESET key repeatedly until the correct
compass zone, as determined from the zone map, is
shown in the display.
5. Press MODE key twice to activate the new compass
zone and change back to compass display.
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91 Trip computer
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Zone map North America Zone map South America
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92 Trip computer
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
To calibrate the compass:
If the vehicle was exposed to a significant magnetic
zone, such as high voltage power lines, the compass
may have to be calibrated.
Calibration of the compass should be done in an area
free of steel superstructures and power lines. All
electrical consumers (e.g. exterior lamps, climate
control, rear window defroster etc.) should be switched
off, doors and liftgate closed. Do not open or close the
roof. An open liftgate triggers the display “–––”.
1. Start and run the engine.
2. Press MODE key repeatedly until the compass
display appears in the trip computer display.
3. Press RESET key and afterwards press MODE key,
“CAL–” appears in the display.4. Press and hold RESET key for a minimum of
2 seconds, to access the calibration mode.
The display shows “CAL”.
5. Without interruption drive two full circles at a speed
between 3 mph (5 km / h) and 7 mph (10 km / h).
The message “CAL” goes out after a short time.
6. The calibration of the compass is now complete.
Note:
If “CAL” remains in the display, calibration was not
successfully completed. To recalibrate, remove key from
the steering lock. Insert key, start the vehicle and start
the calibration procedure.
We recommend that you have the compass calibrated at
a Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center.
Page 96 of 342
93 Trip computer
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index •Stop watch –
Press RESET key to start the count. Press again to
stop the count. Press and hold RESET key to reset
stop watch.
•Average fuel consumption –
Press RESET key to delete present reading.
•Language –
Press RESET key to set the language used in the
display.
Canada language selection:
Both CAN-English or CAN-French are available.
Setting CAN-English:
Press RESET key until CAN is displayed.
Press MODE key to select ENG. Press MODE key
again to set CAN-English.Setting CAN-French:
Press RESET key until CAN is displayed.
Press MODE key, ENG is displayed. Then press
RESET key to select Fr.
Press MODE key to set CAN-French.