length MERCEDES-BENZ ML320 1997 Complete Owner's Manual

208 OperationDriving instructionsLoading a trailer

When loading a trailer, you should ob-
serve that neither the permissible GTW,
nor the GVWR are exceeded.
Maximum permissible values are listed
on the safety compliance certification
labels for the vehicle and for the trailer
to be towed.
The lowest value listed must be select-
ed when determining how the vehicle
and trailer are loaded.


The tongue weight at the hitch ball
must be added to the GVW to prevent
exceeding your Mercedes-Benz tow
vehicle’s rear GAWR.Checking weights of vehicle and trailer


To assure that the tow vehicle and trail-
er are in compliance with the maximum
permissible weight limits have the load-
ed rig (tow vehicle including driver, pas-
sengers and cargo, trailer fully loaded)
weighed on a commercial scale.


Check the vehicle’s front and rear
Gross Axle Weight (GAW), the GTW and
TW.
The values as measured must not be
exceeded, according to the weight list-
ed under “Vehicle and trailer weight
and ratings”.Attaching a trailer
Observe maximum permitted trailer
dimensions (width and length).
Most states and all Canadian provinces
require


safety chains between your tow vehicle
and the trailer.
The chains should be crisscrossed un-
der the trailer tongue. They must be at-
tached to the hitch receiver, and not to
the vehicle’s bumper or axle.
Be sure to leave enough slack in the
chains to permit turning corners.


a separate brake system at various
trailer weights.


a break-away switch on trailers with a
separate brake system.
The switch activates the trailer brakes
in the possible event that the trailer
might separate from the tow vehicle.
iWe recommend loading the trailer in
such a manner that it has a tongue
weight (TW) between 10% and 15% of
the GTW.

232 OperationMaintenance
MaintenanceWe strongly recommend that you have
your vehicle serviced by your authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center, in
accordance with the Service Booklet at the
times called for by the FSS (Flexible Ser-
vice System).
Failure to have the vehicle maintained in
accordance with the Service Booklet at the
designated times / mileage called for by
the FSS may result in vehicle damage not
covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty.
FSS will notify you when your next service
is due.1Knob
2Display in the speedometer
Approximately one month before your next
service is due, the type of service is indi-
cated in the speedometer display2:
9Minor service (A)
½Major service (B)
The following information, depending on
operating conditions throughout the year,
is also shown:


calculated distance remaining


calculated remaining time in days
Clearing the service indicator
The service indicator is automatically
cleared after ten seconds when you switch
on the ignition or when reaching the ser-
vice threshold while driving. You can also
clear it yourself.
Press knob1.iThe interval between services depends
on your driving habits. A gentle driving
style, moderate engine speeds and the
avoidance of short-distance trips will
lengthen the interval between services.

281 Practical hints
Jump starting
Jump starting
If the battery is discharged, the engine can
be started with jumper cables and the bat-
tery of another vehicle. Observe the follow-
ing:

Jump starting should only be performed
when the engine and catalytic convert-
er are cold.


Do not start the engine if the battery is
frozen. Let the battery thaw out first.


Only jump start from batteries with the
same voltage rating (12 V). Jump start-
ing with a more powerful battery could
damage the vehicle's electrical system,
which will not be covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.


Use only jumper cables with sufficient-
cross-section and insulated terminal
clamps.


Always make sure the jumper cables
are not on or near pulleys, fans or other
parts that move when the engine is
started or running.
Warning!
G
Failure to follow these directions will cause
damage to the electronic components, and
can lead to a battery explosion and severe
injury or death.
Never lean over batteries while connecting
or jump starting, you might get injured.
Battery fluid contains sulfuric acid. Do not
allow this fluid to come in contact with eyes,
skin or clothing. In case it does, immediately
flush affected area with water, and seek
medical help if necessary.
A battery will also produce hydrogen gas,
which is flammable and very explosive. Keep
flames or sparks away from battery, avoid
improper connection of jumper cables,
smoking, etc.
Attempting to jump start a frozen battery
can result in it exploding, causing personal
injury.
Read all instructions before proceeding.
!Avoid repeated and lengthy starting at-
tempts.
Do not attempt to start the engine us-
ing a battery quick charge unit.
If engine does not run after several un-
successful starting attempts, have it
checked at the nearest authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center.
Excessive unburned fuel generated by
repeated failed starting attempts may
damage the catalytic converter and
may present a fire risk.
Make sure the jumper cables do not
have loose or missing insulation.
Make sure the cable clamps do not
touch any other metal part while the
other end is still attached to a battery.

298 Technical dataMain Dimensions
Main DimensionsModel
ML 350, ML 500
Overall vehicle length
182.6 in (4638 mm)
Overall vehicle width
83.7 in (2126 mm)
Overall vehicle height
71.7 in (1820 mm)
Wheelbase
111.0 in (2820 mm)
Track, front
61.2 in (1555 mm)
Track, rear
61.2 in (1555 mm)
Ground clearance
8.03 in (204 mm)
Turning radius
468.5 in (11.9 m)

336 IndexSide windows 144
Automatic closing 145
Automatic opening 145
Cleaning 237
Closing 145
Closing fully (Express-close) 145
Opening 145
Opening and closing 144
Opening fully (Express-open) 145
Rear quarter window 146
Stopping 145
Synchronizing power windows 146
Simultaneous wiping and washing
Rear window wiper/washer 51
Windshield wipers 50
Single wipe 50
Sliding/pop-up roof* 148
Closing 148, 265
Opening 148, 265
Synchronizing 149
Snow chains 231
Spare fuses 287
Spare parts service 290Spare wheel 259
Mounting 274
Removing 259
Speed
Saving current 151
Speed settings
Cruise control 152
Speedometer 25
Speedometer display
Additional indicators 256
Split rear bench seat 99
SRS 66, 314
Indicator lamp 255
Standing lamps 107
Replacing bulbs 266, 267
Standing water
Driving instructions 200
StArt
Display messages 256
Starting difficulties 47
Starting position 33
Starting the engine 46Steep terrain
Driving 202
Steering column
Height adjustment 39
Length adjustment 39
Steering lock 23, 33
Positions 33
Steering wheel
Adjusting 39
Adjustment 39
Cleaning 238
Stolen vehicle
Tracking services 180
Stop watch 189
Stopping
Windows 145
Storage compartments
Glove box 164
Under front passenger seat* 164
Storing (Memory function*)
Positions into memory 106
Stranded vehicle 286

closed. The intake air must flow through the whole intake pipe. Its length is selected in such a way that the
pressure waves, produced by the inducting pistons, arrive at the right moment at the open intake valves for the
next induction stroke. The result is improved cylinder charge and thus an increase in torque.
At higher engine speeds (e.g. from 3900 rpm) the actuation to the variable intake manifold switchover valve is
interrupted - the variable flaps open as a result of the spring force. Through the shortened route the pressure
waves arrive in time even at higher rotational speeds before the closing of the intake valves to the combustion
chamber.
INTAKE MANIFOLD, DESIGN - GF09.20-P-3102-03A
Shown on ENGINE 112
Fig. 4: Identifying Intake Manifold Components
- Shown On Engine 112
The intake manifold is assembled out of several magnesium pressure castings. When fitted together, they
produce the individual intake manifolds and the air collecting volume. The parts are sealed off to each other by
plastic. The intake manifold cannot be disassembled.
The individual intake manifolds each approx. 800 mm long, are arranged in a spiral shape around the air
collecting volume. A single intake manifold is assigned to each cylinder.
Each single intake manifold has a further opening to the air collecting volume in the middle. These can be
opened or closed by means of variable flaps which pivot through approx. 60°.
The variable flaps are attached to steel shafts. One shaft is installed for each bank of c
ylinders. The

2001 Mercedes-Benz ML320
1998-2005 ENGINE Air Intake, Turbo Charging - 163 Chassis
me
Saturday, October 02, 2010 3:16:57 PMPage 3 © 2006 Mitchell Repair Information Company, LLC.

interconnected flap shafts are closed by means of vacuum by the intake manifold switchover diaphragm unit.
When the variable intake manifold switchover valve is open, the vacuum is supplied from a vacuum reservoir
with check valve in the intake manifold. The reservoir volume is designed for about 5 operations without
renewed evacuation.
The variable flaps open by means of spring force.
INTAKE MANIFOLD, LOCATION/TASK/DESIGN/FUNCTION - GF09.20-P-3102A
ENGINE
112.910 /911 /912 /913 /914 /916 /917 /920 /921 /922 /923 /940 /941 /942 /943 /944 /946 /947 /949 /953 /954 /9
5
ENGINE 113.940 /941 /942 /943 /948 /960 /961 /963 /965 /967 /966 /968 /969
Fig. 5: Identifying Intake Manifold Design/Function

Intake manifold,
location GF09.20-P-3102-
01A
Intake manifold, taskOptimizing engine torque curve by means of two different
intake manifold lengths
Intake manifold,
design GF09.20-P-3102-
03A
Intake manifold,
function GF09.20-P-3102-
02A

2001 Mercedes-Benz ML320
1998-2005 ENGINE Air Intake, Turbo Charging - 163 Chassis
me
Saturday, October 02, 2010 3:16:57 PMPage 4 © 2006 Mitchell Repair Information Company, LLC.

Fig. 2: Identifying Fiber Optic Cable Module, CD Player With Changer (In Trunk) And Voice Control
System Control Unit
Position of the identification
For vehicle models 170, 202, 203, 208, 210, 215, 220, 230, 463 an identification plate is located on the fiber
optic cable wiring harness behind the radio on which the fiber optic cable modules (1, 2, 3, 4) specially fitted to
these vehicles are specified together with their exact length.
With models 129, 414 the identification plate is in the trunk next to the CD changer.
With model 168, the identification plate is in the passenger footwell in the area of the control unit box. If there
is no length specification on the identification plate, the respective fiber optic cable module must be removed
and the necessary length measured.
Vehicle model 163 does not have any identification plate.
With repairs, the individual fiber optic cable modules with corresponding length specification can be ordered
(see spare-parts documentation Group 82).

2001 Mercedes-Benz ML320
1998-2005 ACCESSORIES & BODY, CAB Electrical System - Body - 163 Chassis
me
Saturday, October 02, 2010 3:30:04 PMPage 7 © 2006 Mitchell Repair Information Company, LLC.

Fig. 6: Identifying Fiber Optic Cable Components Location
FIBER OPTIC CABLE, FUNCTION - GF82.00-P-4000-04A
The fiber optical cable consists of plastic with a fiber diameter of 1 mm. Each fiber optical cable is protected
against mechanical damage and against admission of outside light with the help of an orange-colored insulation.
The light for the data transfer in the digital data bus (D2B) has a wavelength of 650 nm; by comparison, visible
light lies in the range of blue with 400 nm to red with 800 nm. Optical attenuation of the light signal can occur
in the fiber optic cable. Attenuation of the optical signal in the fiber optical cable is dependent on:
the length of the line between the individual components
the bending radii when routing the fiber optical cable, which must have min. bending radius = 25 mm
the condition of the insulation of the fiber optical cable
A passive connector; this is used when a component is removed from the digital data bus (D2B) due to a
fault.
To ensure the functional availability of the remaining components, the digital data bus (D2B) is closed again
using a passive connector. The fiber optical cable has two different connection ends:
The fiber optical cable input, which is the output to each control unit. This is marked in "white".
The fiber optical cable output, which is the input to each control unit. This is marked in "red".
FIBER OPTIC CABLE, LOCATION/TASK/FUNCTION - GF82.00-P-4000A
MODEL 129 as of 1.6.98, 163, 168 as of 1.9.98, 170, 202 as of 1.6.98, 203, 208.3, 210 as of 1.6.98, 215, 220

2001 Mercedes-Benz ML320
1998-2005 ACCESSORIES & BODY, CAB Electrical System - Body - 163 Chassis
me
Saturday, October 02, 2010 3:30:04 PMPage 14 © 2006 Mitchell Repair Information Company, LLC.

FERRY
TOLL
After calculation of the route, the navigation processor makes up a list of the streets along the route. This route
list is used for navigation. It can be displayed during navigation by pressing the "I" (INFO) and "RTE" (Route)
buttons.
Route updating
If the driver deviates from the calculated route, a new route list is automatically calculated by the navigation
processor. The current position and the direction of travel are taken into consideration, and the new route is
optimized accordingly. This is accomplished without any message on the display.
Circumventing traffic jams with "Traffic jam" menu key function
After a traffic jam is reported on traffic radio and before reaching the affected section, a route can be calculated
for driving around the traffic jam. For this purpose, activate the "Traffic jam" menu and enter the length of the
traffic jam including the distance to the start of the traffic jam.
The "Traffic jam" function is also available for Federal and State highways as well as for inner city areas.
Trips outside the digitized map area
If the vehicle leaves the digitized DVD map area (e.g. driving into a multi-level car park), then no route can be
calculated or updated. "OFF ROAD" appears on the display. Upon leaving the map boundary, the display "OFF
MAP" appears.
Destinations which lie outside of the digitalized map area cannot be taken into consideration on calculation of
the route.
ROUTE CALCULATION, FUNCTION - GF82.61-P-3011GI
MODEL 163 as of 1.9.01 with CODE (522) Modular control system (MCS) radio USA with CODE (357)
Navigation system - additional unit with CODE (818b) Single CD player - additional unit with CODE
(491) U.S. version
The route is calculated and updated continuously by the navigation processor after entering the destination on
the radio and navigation module (A2/56) It can only be calculated within the digitized map area. The
calculated route is the prerequisite of the guidance system .
Route calculation
The navigation processor calculates the route with the aid of the CD-ROMmap data, the entered destination
Destination guidance,
function GF82.61-P-3012D

2001 Mercedes-Benz ML320
1998-2005 ACCESSORIES & BODY, CAB Electrical System - Body - 163 Chassis
me
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