airbag off MERCEDES-BENZ ML320 1997 Complete Owner's Manual

66 Safety and SecurityOccupant safetyWarning!
G
USE SEAT BELTS PROPERLY

Seat belts can only work when used
properly. Never wear seat belts in any
other way than as described in this sec-
tion, as that could result in serious inju-
ries in case of an accident.


Each occupant should wear their seat
belt at all times, because seat belts help
reduce the likelihood of and potential
severity of injuries in accidents, includ-
ing rollovers. The integrated restraint
system includes SRS (driver airbag,
front passenger airbag, front and rear
door mounted side impact airbags and
window curtain airbags), ETD (seat belt
emergency tensioning device for the
outboard passenger seats [except in the
optional third row seats]), and front seat
knee bolsters.
The system is designed to enhance the pro-
tection offered to properly belted occupants
in certain frontal (front airbags) and side
(side impact airbags and window curtain air-
bags) impacts which exceed preset deploy-
ment thresholds.

Never wear the shoulder belt under your
arm, against your neck or off your shoul-
der. In a crash, your body would move
too far forward. That would increase the
chance of head and neck injuries. The
belt would also apply too much force to
the ribs or abdomen, which could se-
verely injure internal organs such as
your liver or spleen.


Never wear belts over rigid or breakable
objects in or on your clothing, such as
eyeglasses, pens, keys, etc., as these
might cause injuries.


Position the lap belt as low as possible
on your hips and not across the abdo-
men. If the belt is positioned across your
abdomen, it could cause serious injuries
in a crash.


Never use a seat belt for more than one
person at time. Do not fasten a seat belt
around a person and another person or
other objects.


Belts should not be worn twisted. In a
crash, you wouldn’t have the full width
of the belt to manage impact forces. The
twisted belt against your body could
cause injuries.


Pregnant women should also use a
lap-shoulder belt. The lap belt portion
should be positioned as low as possible
on the hips to avoid any possible pres-
sure on the abdomen.


Never place your feet on the instrument
panel or on the seat. Always keep both
feet on the floor in front of the seat.

112 Controls in detailLightingHazard warning flasher
The hazard warning flasher can be activa-
ted with the ignition switched on or off. It
is activated automatically when an airbag
is deployed.
The switch is located on top of the steering
column.Hazard warning flasher switch
Switching on hazard warning flasher
Press the hazard warning flasher
switch.
All the turn signals will flash.
Switching off hazard warning flasher

Press hazard warning flasher switch
again.
Interior lighting
The controls are located in the overhead
control panel.
1Left front interior lamp lens
2Right front interior lamp lens
3Automatic function off
4Automatic function on
5Rear interior lighting
iIf the hazard warning flasher was acti-
vated automatically, press the hazard
warning flasher switch twice to deacti-
vate.

243 Practical hints
What to do if …
Problem
Possible cause
Suggested solution
7
The indicator lamp comes on.
A BabySmart
TM1
child seat is installed on the
front passenger seat. The front passenger
airbag is therefore switched off.
The system is malfunctioning when there is
no BabySmart
TM child seat installed on the
front passenger seat.

Have the system checked as soon as
possible by an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center.
7
The indicator lamp does not light
up with a BabySmart
TM child
seat properly installed on the
front passenger seat.
The system is malfunctioning.

Make sure there is nothing between
seat cushion and child seat and check
installation of the child seat
(page 67).

If the light remains out, have the sys-
tem checked as soon as possible by
an authorized Mercedes-Benz Light
Truck Center.
Do not use the BabySmart
TM restraint
to transport children on the front pas-
senger seat until the system has been
repaired.
1Baby Smart
TM is trademark of Siemens Automotive Corp.

314 Technical termsPoly-V-belt drive
Drives engine-components (alternator,
AC compressor, etc.) from the engine.
Power train
Collective term designating all compo-
nents used to generate and transmit
motive power to the drive axles, includ-
ing


engine


clutch / torque converter


transmission


transfer case


drive shaft


differential


axle shafts / axlesRemote Vehicle Diagnostics
Transmission of vehicle data and cur-
rent location to the Mercedes-Benz
Customer Assistance Center for sub-
scribers to Tele Aid service.
REST
(Residual engine heat utilization)
Feature that uses the engine heat
stored in the coolant to heat the vehi-
cle interior for a short time after the en-
gine has been turned off.
Restraint system
Seat belts, belt tensioner, airbags and
child seat restraint systems. As inde-
pendent systems, their protective func-
tions complement one another.RON
(R
esearch O
ctane N
umber)
The Research Octane Number for gaso-
line as determined by a standardized
method. It is an indication of a gaso-
line's ability to resist undesired detona-
tion (knocking). The average of both
the ->MON (Motor Octane Number)
and RON (Research Octane Number) is
posted at the pump, also known as
ANTI-KNOCK INDEX.
Shift lock
When the vehicle is parked, this lock
prevents the transmission selector le-
ver from being moved out of positionP
without key turned and brake pedal de-
pressed.
SRS
(S
upplemental R
estraint S
ystem)
Seat belts, emergency tensioning de-
vice and airbags. Though independent
systems, they are closely interfaced to
provide effective occupant protection.

318 IndexAir conditioning refrigerant 302
Air outlets
Automatic climate control 142
Air pressure see Tire inflation
pressure 227
Air recirculation mode 138
Activating 139
Deactivating 139
AIRBAG OFF
Warning lamp 243
Airbags 59
BabySmart
TM airbag deactivation
system 311
BabySmartTM deactivation
system 70
Children 60
Front 63
Passenger 63
Safety guidelines 62
Side impact 64
Window curtain 64Alarm
Audible 75, 84, 86
Canceling 84, 86
Visual 83
Alarm system
Anti-theft 83
Anticorrosion/antifreeze 305
Antiglare
Automatic 126
Antilock brake system (ABS) 311
Anti-theft alarm system
Arming 83
Canceling alarm 84, 86
Disarming 84
Anti-theft systems
Anti-theft alarm system 83
Immobilizer 83
Tow-away alarm, glass breakage
sensor 84
Aquaplaning see Hydroplaning 197
Armrest
Storage compartment in front of 165
Storage spaces 165Armrest in rear seat bench 167
Ashtray
Front center console 168
Rear center console 169
ATF (automatic transmission fluid) 222
Attaching a trailer 208
Automatic antiglare for rear view
mirror 126
Automatic central locking
Activating 93
Deactivating 93
Automatic climate control 134
Adjusting air distribution 137
Adjusting air volume 137
Air conditioning 139
Air outlets 142
Air recirculation mode 138
Basic setting 137
Changing basic setting 137
Defrosting 138
Economy mode 135

319 Index
Rear passenger compartment 141
Rear window defroster 133
Residual heat utilization 140
Residual ventilation 140
Switching off 137
Switching on 137
Automatic headlamp mode 108
Automatic interior lighting control
Activating 113
Deactivating 113
Automatic locking when driving 93
Automatic transmission 119
Accelerator position 123
Emergency operation (Limp Home
Mode) 124
Gear ranges 121
Gear selector lever position 122
Gear shifting malfunctions 124
Kickdown 123
Manual shifting 120
One-touch gearshifting 120Selector lever position 119
Towing a trailer 124
Transmission fluid 222
B
BabySmart
TM
Airbag deactivation system 70
Compatible child seats 70, 311
Self-test 70
BabySmart
TM airbag deactivation
system 311
Backrest tilt 35
Backup lamps 267, 270
Bulbs 267
BAS 78, 311
Malfunction indicator lamp 245, 246,
247
Warning lamp 245, 246, 247
Batteries, remote control
Changing 262
Batteries, vehicle 223
Battery discharged
Jump starting 281Battery indicator lamp
Indicator lamp 254
Battery, vehicle 223, 278
Charging 279
Disconnecting 279
Reconnecting 279
Reinstalling 279
Removing 279
Bi-Xenon headlamps* 311
Blocking
Rear door window operation 73
Brake assist system (BAS) 311
Brake fluid 302
Brake lamp bulbs 267
Brake lamp, high mounted 267
Brake pad wear
Indicator lamp 254
Brakes 194
Warning lamp 244
Break-in period 192

321 Index
Chart
Fuses 287
CHECK ENGINE malfunction indicator
lamp 248
Checking
Coolant level 215, 222
Oil level 218
Tire inflate pressure 216
Vehicle lighting 216
Checking weights
Trailer and vehicle 208
Checklist
Off-road driving 201
Returning from off-road driving 206
Child safety 67
Airbags 60
Infant and child restraint systems 64,
68
LATCH child seat mounts 72
Child safety switch see Blocking of rear
door window operation 73Cigarette lighter
Front center console 168
Cleaning
Cup holder 238
Gear selector lever 238
Hard plastic trim items 238
Headlamps 131
Headliner 238
Instrument cluster 238
Leather upholstery 239
Light alloy wheels 238
MB Tex upholstery 239
Plastic and rubber parts 239
Seat belts 238
Steering wheel 238
Windows 237
Windshield 50
Wiper blades 237
Clock 26, 118Closing
Glove box 164
Hood 218
Liftgate 92
Rear quarter windows* 147
Side windows 145
Sliding/pop-up roof* 148, 265
Closing sliding/pop-up roof*
In an emergency 265
Cockpit 22, 311
Combination switch
High beam flasher 49, 110
Turn signals 49
Windshield wipers 49
Compass 187
Calibrating 188
Setting compass zone 188
Compass zone 188
Consumer information 308
Control and operation of radio
transmitters 211

328 IndexK
Key
Global locking 89
Global unlocking 89
Loss of 90
Positions in steering lock 33
Remote control with folding key 88
Unlocking liftgate 89
Unlocking the driver’s door, fuel filler
flap 89
Key positions in steering lock 33
Key, Mechanical 261
Key, Remote control
Unlocking with 32
Kickdown 123, 313
L
Labels, identification 292
Lamp bulbs, exterior 266
Lamps, exterior
Front 266
Rear 267Lamps, indicator and warning
4-ETS 251, 252
ABS 242
Adjustable steering column 253
AIRBAG OFF 63, 243
BAS 78, 245, 246, 247
Battery indicator lamp 254
Brake pad wear 254
Brakes 244
CHECK ENGINE 248
Coolant 249
EBP 245
Engine diagnostics 248
ESP 245, 246, 247, 251
Front fog lamps 253
Fuel reserve 252
Low engine oil level 253
LOW RANGE 252
Low washer system fluid level 253
Seat belts 253
Service indicator 232
SRS 255
Turn signals 25LATCH child seat anchors 72
LATCH child seat mounts 72
Layout of poly-V-belt drive 293
Leather upholstery
Cleaning 239
Lever
For cruise control 150
License plate lamps
Replacing bulbs 267, 271
Liftgate
Closing 92
Opening 89, 91
Opening from inside 91
Opening from outside 91
Light alloy wheels
Cleaning 238
Lighter
Rear center console 169
Lighter see cigarette lighter 168

330 IndexManual seat
Adjusting 35
Adjusting backrest tilt 36
Adjusting head restraint height 36
Adjusting head restraint tilt 37, 39
Seat fore and aft adjustment 35
Seat height 36
MB Tex upholstery
Cleaning 239
MCS
Modular Control System 313
Mechanical key 261
Memory function 105, 313
Memory function* 106
Recalling positions from
memory 106
Mirror
Inside rear view mirror 40Mirrors
Activating exterior mirror parking
position 127
Adjusting 40
Automatic antiglare for rear view
mirror 126
Exterior rear view mirror 40
Storing exterior rear view mirror park-
ing position 106
MON 215
MON (Motor Octane Number) 313
Monitoring reach
Parktronic* 154
Multifunction display 313
N
Night security illumination 109
Deactivation temporarily 109
Setting time 109O
Occupant safety 58
Children and airbags 60
Children in the vehicle 67
Fastening the seat belt 42
Infant and child restraint systems 68
LATCH child seat mounts 72
Seat belts 42, 62
Odometer display 117
Odometer, main 25
Off-road driving
Checklist 201, 206
Crossing obstacles 204
Driving instructions off-road
driving 200
Driving through water 203
Returning 205
Rules 201
Special driving features 201
Steep terrain 202

335 Index
Seat belts 64
Cleaning 238
Fastening 42
Height adjustment 45
Proper use of 44, 66
Safety guidelines 62
Warning lamp 253
Seat heater*
Switching off 98
Switching on 98
Seats 95
Adjusting 34
Heater* 98
Manual 35
Power 37
Rapid seat heating* 98
Rear 99
Split rear bench seat 99
Securing cargo
Cargo tie-down rings 158
Selector lever 26
Lock 46
Position 26, 119Self-test
BabySmart
TM airbag deactivation
system 70
Tele Aid* 172
Service
Calling up the service indicator 233
Major service (Service B) 232
Minor service (Service A) 232
Overdue 233
Spare parts
Types 233
When due 232
Service and Warranty Booklet
Loss of 291
Service and warranty information 10
Service indicator 232
Calling up 233
Clearing 232, 233
Service indicator (FSS)
Display messages 256
Service life (tires) 227Service System see FSS
Setting
Cruise control 151
Higher speed in cruise control 152
Hours (clock) 118
Lower speed in cruise control 152
Minutes (clock) 118
Slower speed in cruise control 152
Speed in cruise control 152
Setting date
Trip computer* 186
Setting language
Trip computer* 190
Shift lock 314
Shifting
Gear selector lever positions 122
Into optimal gear range (automatic
transmission) 120
Side impact airbags 64
Side marker lamps
Replacing bulbs 266, 267, 269