MERCEDES-BENZ ML430 1997 Complete Repair Manual

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Interior Storage compartments, armrest and cup holder
Wa r n i n g !
To help avoid personal injury during a collision or
sudden maneuver, exercise care when stowing
things. Put luggage or cargo in the trunk if
possible. Do not pile luggage or cargo higher than
the seat backs. Luggage nets cannot secure hard or heavy objects.
Wa r n i n g !
Keep compartment lids closed. This will help to
prevent stored objects from being thrown about
and injuring vehicle occupants during an accident
and sudden maneuvers.

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Glove box
Pull handle (1) to open.
The glove box is illuminated with key in steering lock
position 1 or 2 when opening the lid. Storage compartment below center armrest
To open compartment:
Press button and lift lid.
To c l o s e :
Lower lid until it engages in lock.

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Storage compartment under front passenger seat
(standard; optional on model ML 320)
The storage compartment under the front passenger
seat is lockable with its separate key (1).
Note:
Slide seat rearward to gain easier access to the storage
compartment. Cup holder in instrument panel
Touch top of cover. The cup holder (1) opens
automatically.
Caution!
Keep cup holder closed while traveling. Place only
containers that fit into the cup holder to prevent spills.
Do not fill containers to a height where the contents
could spill during vehicle maneuvers, especially hot
liquids.

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Cup holder in rear center console
To open cup holder (2), pull down at top of cover.
Caution!
Keep cup holder closed while traveling. Place only
containers that fit into the cup holder to prevent spills.
Do not fill containers to a height where the contents
could spill during vehicle maneuvers, especially hot
liquids. Armrest in rear bench seat
Pull down armrest (1) by its top.

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Ashtrays
Center console, front
By touching the top of the cover lightly, the ashtray
opens automatically.
To remove ashtray: Pull up and remove ashtray insert. Rear passenger compartment
Pull to open.
To remove ashtray:
Open ashtray (1) and pull out the ashtray insert.
Wa r n i n g !
Remove front ashtray only with vehicle standing
still. Turn off the engine and set the parking brake.
Otherwise the vehicle might move as a result of
unintended contact with the gear selector lever.

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Lighter
Turn key in steering lock to position 1 or 2. Push in
lighter (1); it will pop out automatically when hot. The lighter socket can be used to accommodate
electrical accessories up to maximum 50 W.
Wa r n i n g !
Never touch the heating element or sides of the
lighter, they are extremely hot, hold at knob only.When leaving the vehicle always remove the key
from the steering lock. 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.

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Split rear seat bench
The rear seat bench can be moved fore / aft, folded and
lowered to increase the cargo area. The left, right or
both seat back sections may folded down according to
need. To slide rear seat bench fore / aft:
1. Pull lever (1) in direction of arrow, and slide seat bench section to desired position until it locks in
place.
To enlarge cargo area: 1. Close cup holder in rear center console.
2. Move front seats forward, see page 39 for manual seats and page 40 for power seats.
3. Pull lever (1) in direction of arrow, and slide seat bench section forward.
4. Remove head restraint(s). The head restraint(s) should be stored beneath the cargo f loor plates.

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5. Pull lock button (2) up, and fold seat back forward
until it locks in place.
The red backrest lock indicators at the lock
buttons (2) are not visible in locked position. 6. Press lock button (3) to unlock lever (4). Pull
lever (4) in direction of arrow (5), then pull lever (1)
and push down seat bench section until it locks in
place.

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To return seat bench section to sitting position: 1. Pull lever (1) and raise seat bench section until it locks in place.
2. Pull lock button (2) up, and unfold seat back to upright position. Check for secure locking by
pushing and pulling on the backrest. The red
backrest lock indicators at the lock buttons (2) are
not visible in locked position.
3. Pull lever (1) in direction of arrow, and slide seat bench section rearward to desired position. 4. Install and adjust head restraint.
For installation of head restraints see page 124.
Wa r n i n g !
Failure to assure that seats are locked into place
could result in an increased chance of injury in an
accident.Never place hands under seat or near any moving
parts while a seat is being adjusted.

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Easy entry/exit feature

(only in vehicles with third row seats)
Folding right seat bench section for access to rear
compartment area:
1. Move right front seat forward.
2. Slide seat bench section forward.
3. Push head restraint fully down and tilt it forward, see page 43. 4. Pull lock button (2) of seat back up, and fold seat
back forward.
5. Remove respective cargo floor plate, see page 129.
6. Pull lever (6) up, and fold seat bench section forward.
Resetting seat bench: 1. Pull down on seat bench section until it locks into place.
2. Pull lock button (2) up, and unfold seat back to upright position. Check for secure locking by
pushing and pulling on the backrest. The backrest
lock indicators at the lock buttons (2) are not visible
in locked position.
3. Pull up and adjust head restraint.
Caution!
Never drive with the second row right seat folded
forward (easy entry/exit feature). It could open and fold
back unintentionally.
When unfolding the seat, be sure that there is no danger
of anyone being harmed by the procedure.