206 OperationDriving instructionsOff-road driving increases strain on the
vehicle.
We recommend that you inspect the vehi-
cle for possible damage after each off-road
trip. Recognizing any damage and a subse-
quent timely repair reduces the chance of
a possible breakdown or accident later on.
Proceed as follows:
Switch off the LOW RANGE mode
(page 125).
Remove excessive dirt from tires,
wheels, wheel housings, and under-
body.
For instance, after driving in mud, clean
the radiator, chassis, engine, brakes,
and wheels from extreme dirt using a
strong jet of water.
Inspect frame, oil pan, brake hoses,
etc., as well as vehicle underbody for
possible damage.
Check tires for possible damage, clean
all exterior lamps, and conduct a brake
test.
Check for brush or branches caught in
the undercarriage.
They could increase the possibility of a
fire, as well as cut fuel and / or brake
lines, puncture rubber bellows of the
axles or drive shafts.
After continued operation in mud,
sand, water or other dirty conditions
clean the brake discs, wheels, brake
pads and check and clean axle joints.
Trailer towingWarning!
G
Failure to use proper equipment and driving
technique can result in a loss of vehicle con-
trol when towing a trailer.
Improper towing or failure to follow the in-
structions contained in this guide can result
in serious injury. Follow the guidelines be-
low carefully to assure safe trailer operation.
Ask your authorized Mercedes-Benz Light
Truck Center should you require an explana-
tion of information contained in this guide.
254 Practical hintsWhat to do if …Problem
Possible cause
Suggested solution
#
The red charge indicator lamp
comes on when the engine is
running.
The battery is no longer charging.
Possible causes:
alternator malfunctioning
broken poly-V-belt
Stop immediately and check the
poly-V-belt.
If it is broken
Do not continue to drive, before the
poly-V-belt is replaced.
Notify an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Light Truck Center.
2
The yellow brake indicator lamp
comes on during braking or after
starting the engine.
The brake pads are worn down.
Have the system checked at an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck
Center.
!Brake pad thickness must be visually
checked by a qualified technician at the
intervals specified in the Service book-
let.
SAFETY PRECAUTIONS FOR NEW VEHICLES THAT ARE BEING PUT IN STORAGE - AP00.70-P-1000ZZ
MODELS all
and rear axle
Frame
New vehicles in the
context of this description
are vehicles for which no
inspection has been carried
out to date. For other
vehicles, the instructions
in the Specifications for
Service Products apply
In areas in which
extremely high corrosive
attacks can be expected
from experience, the
measures given here are
not always sufficient even
for new vehiclesExport countries
In these cases, proceed in
accordance with
Specifications for Service
products.
Treatment of battery if
vehicle taken out of
service AR54.10-P-0006EA
Treatment of tire inflation
pressure if vehicle taken
out of serviceFor vehicles which will be
stored for longer than 2
months, the tire inflation
pressure should be
increased to approx. 4 bar
to prevent flattening of the
contact surface.
Treatment of break system
if vehicle taken out of
serviceWarm up service brake so
that adhering moisture at
the brake disks and the
brake pads evaporates.
This prevents the brake
pad from becoming stuck
to the brake disks.
Release parking brake.
The vehicle must be
secured by engaging a
gear/park pawl or by using
wedges.
Treatment of fuel system
if vehicle taken out of To protect the fuel tank
from corrosion, we
2004 Mercedes-Benz ML350
1998-2005 GENINFO Overall vehicle - 163 Chassis
me
Saturday, October 02, 2010 3:47:52 PMPage 405 © 2006 Mitchell Repair Information Company, LLC.
