blau:

The 2000 ML's climate controls are semi-automatic. If you look in the opening to the left of the MCS, you'll see a thermistor that measures cabin temp.

I've left my temp dial knob at the 11 o'clock since I bought the car 6 yrs ago. Think of the dial as an uncalibrated temp knob instead of cool (blue) vs. hot (red). You have to turn on the A/C yourself and remember to close the middle vents in the winter to get heat to your feet. Other than that, it works much better than the knobs you think it looks like :-)