Page 58 of 342

55 Restraint systems
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index BabySmart
TM airbag deactivation system
Special BabySmart
TM compatible child seats, designed
for use with the Mercedes-Benz system and available at
any authorized Mercedes-Benz Center are required for
use with the BabySmart
TM airbag deactivation system.
With the special child seat properly installed, the
passenger front airbag will not deploy. The 7
indicator lamp located in the instrument cluster will be
illuminated, except with key removed or in steering lock
position 0. The system does not deactivate the door
mounted side impact airbag.
Self-test BabySmart
TM
withoutspecialchildseatinstalled
After turning key in steering lock to position 1 or 2, the
7 indicator lamp located in the instrument cluster
comes on for approximately 6 seconds, extinguishes,
then blinks once.
If the indicator lamp should not come on or is
continuously lit, the system is not functioning. You must
see an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center before seating
any child on the front passenger seat.
BabySmart
TM is a trademark of Siemens Automotive Corp.
Wa r n i n g !
The BabySmart
TM Airbag Deactivation System will
ONLY work with a special child seat designed to
operate with it. It will not work with child seats
which are not BabySmart
TM compatible.
Never place anything between seat cushion and
child seat (e.g. pillow), since it reduces the
effectiveness of the deactivation system. The
bottom of the child seat must make full contact
with the passenger seat cushion. An incorrectly
mounted child seat could cause injuries to the
child in case of an accident instead of protecting
the child.
Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for
installation of special child seats.The passenger front airbag will not deploy only if
the 7 indicator lamp remains illuminated.Please be sure to check the indicator every time
you use the special system child seat.Should the light go out while the restraint is
installed, please check installation. If the light
remains out, do not use the BabySmart
TM restraint
to transport children on the front passenger seat
until the system has been repaired.
Page 63 of 342

60 Restraint systems
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
5Window curtain airbag
The head protection window curtain airbags afford
increased protection against injuries to the head and
upper body. They inflate in the area between the A and
C pillars (see arrows) between the side windows and an
occupant’s head.Important!
The operational readiness of the airbag system is
verified by the indicator lamp “SRS” in the instrument
cluster when turning the key in steering lock to
position 1 or 2. If no fault is detected, the lamp will go
out after approximately 5 seconds; after the lamp goes
out, the system continues to monitor the components
and circuitry of the airbag system and will indicate a
malfunction by coming on again. If the lamp does not
come on at all or if it fails to extinguish after
approximately 5 seconds or if it comes on thereafter,
a malfunction in the system has been detected.
The following system components are monitored or
undergo a self-check: crash-sensor(s), airbag ignition
circuits, front seat belt buckles, emergency tensioning
retractors, seat sensor.
Initially, when the key is turned from steering lock
position 0 to positions 1 or 2, malfunctions in the
crash-sensor are detected and indicated (the “SRS”
indicator lamp stays on longer than 5 seconds or does
not come on).
Have the system checked at your authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center immediately.
P91.60-2336-26
Page 64 of 342

61 Restraint systems
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index In the operational mode, after the indicator lamp has
gone out following the initial check, interruptions or
short circuits in the airbag ignition circuit and in the
driver and front passenger seat belt buckle harnesses,
and low voltage in the entire system are detected and
indicated.Front airbags
The driver and front passenger front airbags are
designed to activate only in certain frontal impacts
exceeding a preset threshold.
The front passenger airbag deploys only if the front
passenger seat is occupied and the ü indicator lamp
in the instrument cluster is not illuminated.
Note:
Heavy objects on the front passenger seat can appear to
the “SRS” to indicate the presence of an occupant in
that seat which causes the passenger front airbag to
deploy in a crash exceeding the appropriate threshold.
Side impact airbags, window curtain airbags
Side impact airbags
The side impact airbags are designed to activate only in
certain side impacts exceeding a preset threshold. Only
the side impact airbags on the impacted side of the
vehicle deploy.
The side impact airbag for the front passenger deploys
only if the front passenger seat is occupied.
Wa r n i n g !
In the event a malfunction of the “SRS” is indicated
as outlined above, the “SRS” may not be
operational. For your safety, we strongly
recommend that you visit an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center immediately to
have the system checked; otherwise the “SRS” may
not be activated when needed in an accident, which
could result in serious or fatal injury, or it might
deploy unexpectedly and unnecessarily which
could also result in injury.
Page 77 of 342

74 Adjustable steering wheel
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Adjustable steering wheelUnlocking:
Move lever (1) down. The indicator lamp, located in the
instrument cluster, comes on.
Adjusting:
Move steering wheel up or down to desired position.
Locking:
Move lever (1) up. The indicator lamp, located in the
instrument cluster, goes out.
Important!
With the key in steering lock position 2, the indicator
lamp in the instrument cluster comes on. It should go
out when the engine is running.
If the indicator lamp does not go out after starting the
engine, the adjustable steering column is not locked
properly.
Do not drive the vehicle until you have properly locked
the steering column.
Wa r n i n g !
Do not adjust the steering wheel while driving. The
steering wheel must be locked while driving.
Adjusting the steering wheel while driving, or
driving without the steering wheel locked could
cause the driver to lose control of the vehicle.
Page 79 of 342

76 Rear view mirrors
Te ch n i c a 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 c ti va te :
Press button (1). The green indicator lamp in the inside
rear view mirror lights up.To d e a c t i va t e :
Press button (1) again. The indicator lamp in the inside
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
inside rear view mirror.
The antiglare function will not react for example, if the
cargo area is fully loaded.
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.
Page 86 of 342

83 Instrument cluster
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index 1Coolant temperature gauge, see page 87
2Outside temperature indicator (optional), see
page 88
3Fuel gauge with reserve and fuel cap placement
warning lamp, see page 242
4Left turn signal indicator lamp, see exterior lamp
switch, page 97
5Knob for odometer / trip odometer readout / reset,
FSS indicator, and intensity of instrument lamps,
see page 86
64-ETS+ and ESP warning lamp, see page 243
For 4-ETS+ (four wheel electronic traction system),
seepage221;
for ESP (electronic stability program), see page 223.7Speedometer
8Selectable:
Trip odometer, see page 86
Main odometer, see page 86
FSS display, see page 94
Engine oil level indicator, see page 96
9Right turn signal indicator lamp, see exterior lamp
switch, page 97
10Knob for setting clock, see page 87
11Tachometer, see page 88
12Gear range indicator display, see selector lever
positions, page 186
13Clock, see page 87
Page 87 of 342
84 Instrument cluster
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Indicator lamps in the instrument cluster
High beam
BAS malfunction, see page 243
ESP malfunction, see page 243
4-ETS+ malfunction, see page 243
ABS malfunction, see page 244
Brake pads worn down, see page 247
Engine oil level low, see page 246
Coolant level low, see page 246
Transmission in LOW RANGE mode,
see page 243ESP and 4-ETS+. Adjust driving to road
condition, see page 243
Brake fluid low, see page 241
EBP malfunction, see page 222
Parking brake engaged, see page 191
Front passenger airbag automatically
switched off, see page 55
Front fog lamp, see page 103
Steering wheel adjustment not locked,
see page 74
Fasten seat belts,
see page 245
Battery not being charged properly,
see page 245
SRS malfunction, see page 242
Fluid level for windshield and headlamp
washer system low, see page 247.
BAS
ESPABSLOW
RANGE
BRAKESRS
Page 88 of 342
85 Instrument cluster
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index If the “CHECK ENGINE” malfunction
indicator lamp comes on when the engine is
running, it indicates a malfunction of the
fuel management system, emission control
system, systems which impact emissions, or
the fuel cap is not closed tight. In all cases,
we recommend that you have the
malfunction checked as soon as possible, see
page 240.Additional function indicator lamps
(in the odometer display)
FSS indicator (Service A), see page 94
FSS indicator (Service B), see page 94
The symbols appear in the main odometer display field
prior to the next suggested service. Depending on
operating conditions throughout the year, the next
service is calculated and displayed in days or distance
remaining. See page 94 for notes on the flexible service
system (FSS).
CHECK
ENGINE