Page 187 of 317

184 Driving instructions
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Checklist before off-road driving
•Tires: Check the tread depth and maintain specified 
tire pressure (see tire pressure label inside the fuel 
filler flap). Check tires for possible damage and 
remove foreign objects. The valve caps must be 
mounted.
•Rims: Dented or bent rims can cause tire pressure 
loss and damage the tire beads. For this reason 
change rims before driving off-road.
• Vehicle tool kit: Check if the vehicle jack is 
functional. In all cases take the vehicle tool kit, a 
strong tow rope, a shovel and a small plank (to put 
under the vehicle jack on sandy soil) with you.Driving in steep terrain
Slope angle:
126° (ML 320 and ML 430)
23° (ML 55 AMG)
226° (ML 320 and ML 430)
21° (ML 55 AMG)
Switch to LOW RANGE mode before starting to drive up 
or down steep inclines, see page 209.
Maximum vehicle climbing ability is a 60% grade.
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        Page 216 of 317

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. 
     
        
        Page 251 of 317

248 Tires, Wheels
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Using the wrench, tighten the five bolts evenly, 
following the sequence illustrated, until all bolts are 
tight. Observe a tightening torque of 110 ft.lb. (150 Nm).
Ensure proper tire pressure.Notes:
The removed road wheel cannot be stored in the 
space-saver wheel carrier or inside the storage 
compartment in the rear cargo area (ML 55 AMG), but 
should be transported in the rear cargo compartment 
wrapped in a protective cover supplied with the vehicle. 
The protective cover is located in the rear cargo 
compartment behind the cover in the right side trim 
panel.
Model ML 55 AMG:
Store air pump in its proper location. Close and latch the 
spare wheel cover, see page 239.
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Wa r n i n g !
Always replace wheel bolts that are damaged or 
rusted.Never apply oil or grease to wheel bolts.Damaged wheel hub threads should be repaired 
immediately.Incorrect mounting bolts or improperly tightened 
mounting bolts can cause the wheel to come off. 
This could cause an accident. Be sure to use the 
correct mounting bolts. 
     
        
        Page 298 of 317

295 Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc.
Te ch n ica l
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cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Premium unleaded gasoline
Caution!
To maintain the engine’s durability and performance, 
premium unleaded gasoline must be used. If premium 
unleaded is not available and low octane fuel is used, 
follow these precautions:
•have the fuel tank filled only partially with unleaded 
regular and fill up with premium unleaded as soon 
as possible,
•avoid full throttle driving and abrupt acceleration,
•do not exceed an engine speed of 3000 rpm, if the 
vehicle is loaded with a light load such as two 
persons and no luggage,
•do not exceed 2 / 3 of maximum accelerator pedal 
position, if the vehicle is fully loaded or operating in 
mountainous terrain.Fuel requirements
Use only Premium unleaded meeting ASTM 
standard D 439:
The octane number (posted at the pump) must be 
91 min. It is an average of both the Research (R) octane 
number and the Motor (M) octane number: [(R+M) / 2]. 
This is also known as ANTI-KNOCK INDEX.
Unleaded gasoline containing oxygenates such as 
Ethanol, IPA, IBA and TBA can be used provided the 
ratio of any one of these oxygenates to gasoline does not 
exceed 10%, MTBE not to exceed 15%.
The ratio of Methanol to gasoline must not exceed 3% 
plus additional cosolvents.
Using mixtures of Ethanol and Methanol is not allowed. 
Gasohol, which contains 10% Ethanol and 90% unleaded 
gasoline, can be used.
These blends must also meet all other fuel requirements 
such as resistance to spark knock, boiling range, vapor 
pressure etc..