
181 Driving instructions
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Winter driving
Have your vehicle winterized at your authorized 
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center before the onset of 
winter.
•Change the engine oil if the engine contains an oil 
which is not approved for winter operation. For 
viscosity (SAE / CCMC class) and filling quantity, 
see page 292.
•Check engine coolant anticorrosion / antifreeze 
concentration.
•Additive for the windshield washer and headlamp 
cleaning system: Add MB Concentrate “S” to a 
premixed windshield washer solvent / antifreeze 
which is formulated for below freezing temperatures 
see page 237.
•Test battery: Battery capacity drops with decreasing 
ambient temperature. A well charged battery helps 
to ensure that the engine can be started, even at low 
ambient temperatures.
•Tires: We recommend M+S rated radial-ply tires on 
all four wheels for the winter season. Observe 
permissible maximum speed for M+S rated 
radial-ply tires and the legal speed limit.In winter operation, the maximum effectiveness of the 
antilock brake system (ABS), the four wheel electronic 
traction system (4-ETS+), the electronic stability 
program (ESP), and electronic brake proportioning 
(EBP) can only be achieved with M+S rated radial-ply 
tires and / or snow chains recommended by 
Mercedes-Benz. Snow chains maximize performance.
For driving instructions using snow chains see 
page 179.
Deep water
Caution!
Do not drive through flooded areas or water of unknown 
depth. Before driving through water, determine its 
depth. It should not be deeper than approximately 
20 inches (50 cm).
If you must drive through deep water, drive slowly to 
prevent water from entering the engine compartment or 
passenger compartment, being ingested by the air 
intake, possibly causing damage to electrical 
components or wiring, to engine or transmission that is 
not covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty. 

213 What you should know at the gas station
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Leaving the engine running and the fuel cap open can 
cause the “CHECK ENGINE” lamp to illuminate.
Fuel tank capacity approximately 19.0 US gal (72.0 l).
This includes approximately 3.2 US gal (12.0 l) reserve.
Use premium unleaded gasoline: Posted Octane 
Index 91 (Average of 96 RON / 86 MON).
•Engine oil
Engine oil level check, see page 89 and page 233.
Fill quantity between upper and lower dipstick 
marking level: 2.1 US qt (2.0 l).
Recommended engine oils, see Approved Service 
Products sheet.• Coolant
For normal replenishing, use water (potable water 
quality).
For further information (e.g. anticorrosion/
antifreeze), see page 292.
• Spark plugs
Approved spark plugs, see page 290.
• Tire pressure
For tire pressure, refer to tire pressure label inside 
the fuel filler flap. See page 250 for further details.
• Air conditioner
R-134a refrigerant and special PAG lubricant, see 
page 294.
Wa r n i n g !
Overfilling of fuel tank may result in creating 
pressure in the system which could cause a gas 
discharge such as the gas spraying back out upon 
removing the filler nozzle which could cause 
personal injury. 

292 Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc. - capacities
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc. – capacities
Vehicle components and their respective lubricants must match. Therefore use only brands tested and recommended 
by us. Please refer to the Factory Approved Service Products pamphlet, or inquire at your Mercedes-Benz Light Truck 
Center.
Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc. Model Capacity
Engine with oil filter
(recommended engine oils)ML 320 / ML 430
ML 55 AMG8.5 US qt (8.0 l)
8.0 US qt (7.5 l)
Automatic transmission
(automatic transmission fluid)9.0 US qt (8.5 l)
Transfer case
(Dexron 3 or Dexron 2E)1. 6 U S  q t  (1. 5  l )
Rear axle
(Hypoid gear oil SAE 90, 85 W 90)1.3 US qt (1.25 l)
Front axle
(Hypoid gear oil SAE 90)1. 2 U S  q t  (1. 1  l )
Power steering
(MB Power steering fluid)approx. 0.65 US qt (0.6 l)
Front wheel hubs
(high temperature roller bearing grease)approx. 1.5 oz (43 g) each 

301 Index
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car careIndex Brake fluid  ............................................................. 175, 294
Brake warning lamp  ................................................. 219
Capacity ......................................................................293
Brake pad wear indicator  .............................................225
Brake warning lamp  ...................................................... 219
Brake fluid low  .......................................................... 219
Brakes  ....................................................173, 175, 293, 294
CCapacities
Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc.  ...............................292
Cargo area  ....................................................................... 131
Hooks .......................................................................... 133
Loading instructions  ................................................ 136
Cargo area cover blind  .................................................. 137
Cargo compartment lamp  .............................................. 111
Cargo floor plates
Removable .................................................................. 129
Storage ........................................................................ 130
Cargo tie-down rings  ..................................................... 132
Catalytic converter  ........................................................ 160
Cellular telephone  ......................................................... 139
Center console .................................................................. 20
Central locking switch  .................................................... 32Central locking system .................................................... 26
Automatic central locking  .........................................32
Locking and unlocking ............................................... 27
Mechanical keys  ..........................................................29
Panic button  .................................................................28
Remote control  ............................................................26
Unlocking the liftgate  ................................................. 28
Vehicle keys  .................................................................24
Changing wheels ........................................................... 245
Inflating the space-saver tire  ................................. 249
Charge indicator lamp  .................................................. 223
CHECK ENGINE malfunction indicator lamp  ............ 218
Check regularly and before a long trip ....................... 215
Checking engine oil level
Via engine oil level indicator  ....................................89
Via oil dipstick  .......................................................... 233
Child restraint  ..............................................38, 46, 53, 65
Cleaning and care of the vehicle  ................................ 278
Climate control  .................................................................98
Air recirculation  ........................................................102
Basic setting ...............................................................100
Defogging windows  ................................................... 101
Defrosting windshield  .............................................. 101
Dust filter  ...................................................................102
Rear window defroster  ............................................. 103
Special settings  ......................................................... 101 

181 
Driving instructions
Te ch n ica l 
data 
Instruments  
and controls  Operation 
Driving Instrument  
cluster display  Practical hints Car care Index 
Winter driving 
Have your vehicle winterized at your authorized  
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center before the onset of 
winter. 
•  Change the engine oil if the engine contains an oil  
which is not approved for winter operation. For 
viscosity (SAE / CCMC class) and filling quantity, 
see page 292. 
•  Check engine coolant anticorrosion / antifreeze  
concentration. 
•  Additive for the windshield washer and headlamp  
cleaning system: Add MB Concentrate “S” to a 
premixed windshield washer solvent / antifreeze 
which is formulated for below freezing temperatures  
see page 237. 
•  Test battery: Battery capacity drops with decreasing  
ambient temperature. A well charged battery helps 
to ensure that the engine can be started, even at low 
ambient temperatures. 
•  Tires: We recommend M+S rated radial-ply tires on  
all four wheels for the winter season. Observe 
permissible maximum speed for M+S rated 
radial-ply tires and the legal speed limit.  In winter operation, the maximum effectiveness of the  
antilock brake system (ABS), the four wheel electronic 
traction system (4-ETS+), the electronic stability 
program (ESP), and electronic brake proportioning 
(EBP) can only be achieved with M+S rated radial-ply  
tires and / or snow chains recommended by  
Mercedes-Benz. Snow chains maximize performance. 
For driving instructions using snow chains see  
page 179. 
Deep water 
Caution! 
Do not drive through flooded areas or water of unknown  
depth. Before driving through water, determine its  
depth. It should not be deeper than approximately  
20 inches (50 cm). 
If you must drive through deep water, drive slowly to  
prevent water from entering the engine compartment or 
passenger compartment, being ingested by the air  
intake, possibly causing damage to electrical  
components or wiring, to engine or transmission that is 
not covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty. 

213 
What you should know at the gas station
Te ch n ica l 
data 
Instruments  
and controls  Operation 
Driving Instrument  
cluster display  Practical hints Car care Index 
Leaving the engine running and the fuel cap open can  
cause the “CHECK ENGINE” lamp to illuminate. 
Fuel tank capacity approximately 19.0 US gal (72.0 l). 
This includes approximately 3.2 US gal (12.0 l) reserve. 
Use premium unleaded gasoline: Posted Octane  
Index 91 (Average of 96 RON / 86 MON). 
•Engine oil  Engine oil level check, see page 89 and page 233. 
Fill quantity between upper and lower dipstick  
marking level: 2.1 US qt (2.0 l). 
Recommended engine oils, see Approved Service  
Products sheet.  • Coolant 
For normal replenishing, use water (potable water  
quality). 
For further information (e.g. anticorrosion/ 
antifreeze), see page 292. 
• Spark plugs Approved spark plugs, see page 290.
• Tire pressure  For tire pressure, refer to tire pressure label inside  
the fuel filler flap. See page 250 for further details. 
• Air conditioner R-134a refrigerant and special PAG lubricant, see  
page 294.
Wa r n i n g ! 
Overfilling of fuel tank may result in creating  
pressure in the system which could cause a gas  
discharge such as the gas spraying back out upon  
removing the filler nozzle which could cause 
personal injury. 

292 
Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc. - capacities
Te ch n ica l 
data 
Instruments  
and controls  Operation Driving 
Instrument  
cluster display  Practical hints Car care Index 
Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc. – capacities 
Vehicle components and their respective lubricants must match. Therefore use only brands tested and recommended  
by us. Please refer to the Factory Approved Service Products pamphlet, or inquire at your Mercedes-Benz Light Truck 
Center. 
Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc. Model Capacity 
Engine with oil filter 
(recommended engine oils)  ML 320 / ML 430 
ML 55 AMG  8.5 US qt (8.0 l) 
8.0 US qt (7.5 l) 
Automatic transmission 
(automatic transmission fluid)  9.0 US qt (8.5 l) 
Transfer case 
(Dexron 3 or Dexron 2E)  1. 6 U S  q t  (1. 5  l ) 
Rear axle 
(Hypoid gear oil SAE 90, 85 W 90)  1.3 US qt (1.25 l) 
Front axle 
(Hypoid gear oil SAE 90)  1. 2 U S  q t  (1. 1  l ) 
Power steering 
(MB Power steering fluid)  approx. 0.65 US qt (0.6 l) 
Front wheel hubs 
(high temperature roller bearing grease)  approx. 1.5 oz (43 g) each 

301 
Index
Te ch n ica l 
data 
Instruments  
and controls  Operation Driving 
Instrument  
cluster display  Practical hints Car care 
Index 
Brake fluid  ............................................................. 175, 294 
Brake warning lamp  ................................................. 219
Capacity ......................................................................293
Brake pad wear indicator  .............................................225
Brake warning lamp  ...................................................... 219 Brake fluid low  .......................................................... 219
Brakes  ....................................................173, 175, 293, 294
CCapacities Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc.  ...............................292
Cargo area  ....................................................................... 131 Hooks .......................................................................... 133
Loading instructions  ................................................ 136
Cargo area cover blind  .................................................. 137
Cargo compartment lamp  .............................................. 111 
Cargo floor plates 
Removable .................................................................. 129
Storage ........................................................................ 130
Cargo tie-down rings  ..................................................... 132
Catalytic converter  ........................................................ 160
Cellular telephone  ......................................................... 139
Center console .................................................................. 20
Central locking switch  .................................................... 32  Central locking system .................................................... 26 
Automatic central locking  .........................................32
Locking and unlocking ............................................... 27
Mechanical keys  ..........................................................29
Panic button  .................................................................28
Remote control  ............................................................26
Unlocking the liftgate  ................................................. 28
Vehicle keys  .................................................................24
Changing wheels ........................................................... 245  Inflating the space-saver tire  ................................. 249 
Charge indicator lamp  .................................................. 223
CHECK ENGINE malfunction indicator lamp  ............ 218
Check regularly and before a long trip ....................... 215
Checking engine oil level Via engine oil level indicator  ....................................89
Via oil dipstick  .......................................................... 233
Child restraint  ..............................................38, 46, 53, 65
Cleaning and care of the vehicle  ................................ 278
Climate control  .................................................................98 Air recirculation  ........................................................102
Basic setting ...............................................................100 
Defogging windows  ................................................... 101 
Defrosting windshield  .............................................. 101
Dust filter  ...................................................................102
Rear window defroster  ............................................. 103
Special settings  ......................................................... 101