MERCEDES-BENZ ML430 1997 Complete Repair Manual

34
Central locking system
Te ch n ica l
data
Instruments
and controls Operation
Driving Instrument
cluster display Practical hints Car care Index
Liftgate
1 Grip molding
2 Handle, outside
3 Recessed grip
To o pen :
From outside of vehicle, pull on handle (2).
To cl os e:
Pull down on recessed grip (3), and close by using the
grip molding (1). 1
Handle, inside
2 Locking
3 Unlocking
Important!
In case of danger, the unlocked liftgate can be opened
with the inside or outside handle.
Only drive with the liftgate closed as otherwise exhaust
fumes may enter the vehicle interior.

35
Antitheft alarm system
Te ch n ica l
data
Instruments
and controls Operation
Driving Instrument
cluster display Practical 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 button Œ.
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 controls Operation
Driving Instrument
cluster display Practical 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.

37
Seats
Te ch n ica l
data
Instruments
and controls Operation
Driving Instrument
cluster display Practical hints Car care Index
Seats, front
Caution!
Do not remove head restraints except when mounting
seat covers. For removal see page 43. Whenever head
restraints have been removed be sure to reinstall them
before driving.
Wa r n i n g !
Do not adjust the driver’s seat while driving.
Adjusting the seat while driving could cause the
driver to lose control of the vehicle.Never ride in a moving vehicle with the backrest
reclined. Sitting in an excessively reclined position
can be dangerous. You could slide under the seat
belt in a collision. If you slide under it, the belt
would apply force at the abdomen or neck. That
could cause serious or even fatal injuries. The
backrest and seat belt provide the best restraint
when the wearer is in an upright position and the
belt is properly positioned on the body.Never place hands under seat or near any moving
parts while a seat is being adjusted.
Wa r n i n g !
When leaving the vehicle always remove the key
from the steering lock, and lock your vehicle.Do not leave children unattended in the vehicle or
with access to an unlocked vehicle. Unsupervised
use of vehicle equipment may cause serious
personal injury.

38
Seats
Te ch n ica l
data
Instruments
and controls Operation
Driving Instrument
cluster display Practical hints Car care Index
Important!
Prior to operating the vehicle, the driver should adjust
the seat height for proper vision as well as fore / aft
placement and backrest angle to insure adequate
control, reach, operation, and comfort. The head
restraint should also be adjusted for proper height. See
also airbag section on page 56 for proper seat
positioning.
In addition, also adjust the steering wheel to ensure
adequate control, reach, operation, and comfort.
Both the inside and outside rear view mirrors should be
adjusted for adequate rearward vision.
Fasten seat belts. Infants and small children should be
seated in a properly secured restraint system that
complies with U.S. Federal Motor Vehicle Safety
Standard 213 and Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety
Standard 213.
All seat, head restraint, steering wheel, and rear view
mirror adjustments as well as fastening of seat belts
should be done before the vehicle is put into motion.
Wa r n i n g !
Children 12 years old and under must never ride in
the front seat, except in a Mercedes-Benz
authorized BabySmart
TM compatible child seat,
which operates with the BabySmart
TM system
installed in the vehicle to deactivate the passenger
side front airbag when it is properly installed.
Otherwise they will be struck by the airbag when it
inflates in a crash. If this happens, serious or fatal
injury can result.
According to accident statistics, children are safer
when properly restrained in the rear seating
positions than in the front seating positions.
Infants and small children must ride in the back
seats and be seated in an appropriate infant or
child restraint system, which is properly secured
with the vehicle’s seat belt, fully in accordance
with the child seat manufacturer’s instructions.A child’s risk of serious or fatal injuries is
significantly increased if the child restraints are
not properly secured in the vehicle and the child is
not properly secured in the child restraint.

39
Seats
Te ch n ica l
data
Instruments
and controls Operation
Driving Instrument
cluster display Practical hints Car care Index
Manual seats
(ML 320)
We recommend to adjust the manual seat in the
following order:
1 Seat, fore / aft
Lift handle (1), slide seat to desired position and
allow handle to reengage. Check for proper
engagement before driving. The position should be
as far rearward as possible, consistent with ability to
properly operate controls. 2
Seat cushion inclination adjustment
Raise lever (2), move seat cushion to desired
position. Release lever.
3 Backrest adjustment
Turn handwheel (3).
4 Head restraint height
Raising:
Pull up on head restraint.
Lowering:
Push button (4), located at top of seat back, and
push down on head restraint.
Adjust head restraint to support the back of the head
approximately at ear level. The head restraint angle
can also be adjusted manually.
See page 43 for removing head restraints.

40
Seats
Te ch n ica l
data
Instruments
and controls Operation
Driving Instrument
cluster display Practical hints Car care Index
Power seats (standard; optional on model ML 320)
The slide switches are located on the entry side of each
front seat base.
Turn key in steering lock to position 1 or 2 (with the
driver’s or passenger’s door open, the power seats can
also be operated with the key removed or in steering
lock position 0). We recommend to adjust the power seat in the following
order:
1 Seat, up / down
Press the switch (up/down direction) until
comfortable seating position with still sufficient
headroom is reached.
2 Seat adjustment, fore / aft
Press the switch (fore / aft direction) until a
comfortable seating position is reached that still
allows you to reach the accelerator / brake pedal
safely. The position should be as far rearward as
possible, consistent with ability to properly operate
controls.
3 Seat cushion tilt
Press the switch in the direction of the arrow until
your legs are lightly supported.
4 Backrest tilt
Press the switch in the direction of the arrow until
your arms are slightly angled when holding the
steering wheel.

41
Seats
Te ch n ica l
data
Instruments
and controls Operation
Driving Instrument
cluster display Practical hints Car care Index
Only minor personal adjustments, as described below,
should then be required.
For exterior rear view mirrors, see page 73;
inside rear view mirror, see page 71;
steering wheel adjustment, see page 70.
Note:
See page 42 for instructions on storing and recalling the
seat position. Head restraint
Raising:
Pull up on head restraint.
Lowering:
Push button, located at top of seat back, and push down
on head restraint, see also page 43.
Adjust head restraint to support the back of the head
approximately at ear level. The head restraint angle can
also be adjusted manually.
See page 43 for removing head restraints.
Wa r n i n g !
When leaving the vehicle always remove the key
from the steering lock, and lock your vehicle.The power seats can also be operated with the
driver’s or passenger door open. Do not leave
children unattended in the vehicle or with access
to an unlocked vehicle. Unsupervised use of vehicle
equipment may cause serious personal injury.

42
Seats
Te ch n ica l
data
Instruments
and controls Operation
Driving Instrument
cluster display Practical hints Car care Index
Memory storing and recalling
(optional on model ML 320 and ML 430)
5 Memory button
6 Position buttons Storing
Three sets of seat positions may be programmed into
memory. After the seat is positioned, push memory
button (5), release, and within 3 seconds push position
button “1”. A second and third set of positions for the
same seat can be programmed into memory by pushing
first memory button (5) and then position button “2”,
respectively “3”.
Recalling
To recall a seat position, push and hold one of the
position buttons “1”, “2” or “3” until seat movement has
stopped. The seat movement stops when the respective
position button is released.
Caution!
Do not operate the power seats using the memory
button if the seat backrest is in an excessively reclined
position. Doing so could cause damage to front or rear
seats.
First move the backrest to an upright position.

43
Seats
Te ch n ica l
data
Instruments
and controls Operation
Driving Instrument
cluster display Practical hints Car care Index
Head restraint removal
Removal:
Pull head restraint to its highest position. Push lock
button (arrow) and pull out head restraint completely
with both hands.
Installation:
Insert the head restraint and push it down to the stop.
Push lock button (arrow) and adjust head restraint down
to the desired position. Ensure proper head restraint positioning, see above.
Wa r n i n g !
For your protection, drive only with properly
positioned head restraints.Adjust head restraint to support the back of the
head approximately at ear level.Do not drive the vehicle without the seat head
restraints. Head restraints are intended to help
reduce injuries during an accident.