mirror MERCEDES-BENZ ML500 1997 Complete Owner's Guide

23
Contents - Operation
Te ch n ica l
data
Instruments
and controls Operation
Driving Instrument
cluster display Practical hints Car care Index
Basic setting –
Air conditioner ........................... 100
Special setting ............................ 101
Dust filter .................................... 102
Air recirculation ......................... 102
Rear window defroster .............. 103
Power windows ............................... 104
Rear quarter windows ................... 106
Sliding/pop-up roof ....................... 107
Skyview Top .................................... 109
Interior lighting ..............................110
Sun visors ........................................113 Illuminated vanity mirrors ........... 113
Interior ............................................. 114
Storage compartments, armrest and cup holder ............ 114
Glove box ...................................... 115
Armrest in rear bench seat ........... 117
Ashtrays ........................................... 118
Lighter .............................................. 119
Split rear seat bench ..................... 120 Easy entry/exit feature ............. 123
Rear seat head restraints ......... 124
Third row seats .............................. 126 Removable cargo floor plates ....... 129
Enlarged cargo area ....................... 131
Cargo tie-down rings ..................... 132
Hooks ............................................... 133
Partition net .................................... 133
Loading instructions ..................... 136
Cargo area cover blind .................. 137
Telephone, general ........................ 139
Cellular telephone ......................... 139
Garage door opener ....................... 140

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.

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.

71
Rear view mirrors
Te ch n ica l
data
Instruments
and controls Operation
Driving Instrument
cluster display Practical hints Car care Index
Inside rear view mirror
Use your inside mirror to determine the size and
distance of objects seen in the passenger side convex
mirror.
Antiglare night position
Manual:
Tilt the mirror to the antiglare night position using the
lever (1) at its lower edge.

72
Rear view mirrors
Te ch n ica l
data
Instruments
and controls Operation
Driving Instrument
cluster display Practical 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 ctiva te:
Press button (1). The green indicator lamp in the rear
view mirror lights up. To deactivate:
Press button (1) again. The indicator lamp in the 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
mirror.
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.

73
Rear view mirrors
Te ch n ica l
data
Instruments
and controls Operation
Driving Instrument
cluster display Practical hints Car care Index
Exterior rear view mirrors
The switch is located on the center console.
Turn key in steering lock to position 1 or 2. First select the mirror to be adjusted – turn switch:
1 Left mirror
2 Right mirror
To adjust, toggle the switch forward, backward or to
either side.
Note:
After turning off the engine the exterior rear view
mirrors can be operated with a front door opened or
with key in steering lock position 1 for approximately
30 minutes.
P82.00-2044-26
Wa r n i n g !
Exercise care when using the passenger-side
mirror. The passenger-side exterior mirror is
convex (outwardly curved surface for a wider field
of view). Objects in mirror are closer than they
appear. Check your inside rear view mirror or
glance over your shoulder before changing lanes.

74
Rear view mirrors
Te ch n ica l
data
Instruments
and controls Operation
Driving Instrument
cluster display Practical hints Car care Index
Vehicles with automatic antiglare function:
With the key in steering lock position 2, the driver’s
side mirror reflection brightness responds to changes in
light sensitivity.
With gear selector lever in position “R”, or with the
interior lamps (except cargo compartment lamp)
switched on, the driver’s side mirror brightness does
not respond to changes in light sensitivity. Important!
Electrolyte drops coming into contact with the vehicle
paint finish can only be completely removed while in
their liquid state, by applying plenty of water.
Notes:
The exterior mirrors have electrically heated glass. The
heater switches on automatically, depending on outside
temperature.
If an exterior mirror housing is forcibly pivoted from its
normal position, it must be repositioned by applying
firm pressure until it snaps into place.
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.

75
Rear view mirrors
Te ch n ica l
data
Instruments
and controls Operation
Driving Instrument
cluster display Practical hints Car care Index
Exterior rear view mirror, electrically folding
(optional on ML 320 and ML 430)
The switch is located in the dashboard behind the
steering wheel.
1 Press switch to fold mirror out
2 Press switch to fold mirror in If an exterior mirror housing is forcibly forced forward
or rearward (hit from the front or from the rear), press
lower half of the switch (2) until you hear a hitting
noise.
Press upper half of the switch (1) to fold mirror out.
You can adjust the exterior rear view mirrors again, see
page 73.
Notes:
The exterior rear view mirrors can vibrate if they are
not completely folded out.
Before running the vehicle through an automatic car
wash, fold the mirrors in, otherwise they might get
damaged.
After turning off the engine the exterior rear view
mirrors can be operated with a front door opened or
with key in steering lock position 1 for approximately
30 minutes.
P82.00-2016-26
12

110
Interior equipment
Te ch n ica l
data
Instruments
and controls Operation
Driving Instrument
cluster display Practical hints Car care Index
Interior lighting
Lamps above instrument panel
Interior lamps above instrument panel are switched on,
and off (soft fade) delayed, when unlocking the vehicle,
or when opening a front door or closing front doors.
With doors closed, push on lamp lens to switch interior
lamps on or off. Reading lamps in inside rear view mirror
1 Reading lamp, left
2 Push button to switch left reading lamp on and off
3 Push button to switch right reading lamp on and off
4 Reading lamp, right
The reading lamps cannot be switched on and off by the
door contact switches.
R ESETM O
DE

113
Interior equipment
Te ch n ica l
data
Instruments
and controls Operation
Driving Instrument
cluster display Practical hints Car care Index
Sun visors
Swing sun visors down to protect against sun glare.
If sunlight enters through a side window, disengage
visor from inner mounting, pivot it to the side, and slide
it to the desired position. Illuminated vanity mirrors
With the visor engaged in its inner mounting and with
key in steering lock position 1 or 2, the lamp is switched
on by opening the cover.
Wa r n i n g !
Do not use the vanity mirror while driving.