
181 Driving instructions
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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
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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. 

278 Cleaning and care of the vehicle
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Cleaning and care of the vehicle
In operation, your vehicle is subjected to varying 
external inf luences which, if gone unchecked, can 
attack the paintwork as well as the underbody and 
cause lasting damage.
Such damage is caused not only by extreme and varying 
climatic conditions, but also by air polution, road salt, 
tar, gravel and stone chipping. Grease and oil, fuel, 
coolant, brake fluid, bird droppings, insects, tree resins 
etc. should be removed immediately to avoid paint 
damage. Frequent washing reduces and / or eliminates 
the aggressiveness and potency of the above adverse 
influences.More frequent washings are necessary to deal with 
unfavorable conditions; for example, near the ocean, in 
industrial areas (smoke, exhaust emissions), or during 
winter operation.
You should check your vehicle from time to time for 
stone chipping or other damage. Any damage should be 
repaired as soon as possible to prevent the start of 
corrosion.
In doing so, do not neglect the underside of the vehicle. 
A prerequisite for a thorough check is a washing of the 
underbody followed by a thorough inspection. Damaged 
areas need to be reundercoated.
Your vehicle has been treated at the factory with a wax-
base ru stproof ing in th e body cavities w hich will  la st for 
the lifetime of the vehicle. Post-production treatment is 
neither necessary nor recommended by Mercedes-Benz 
because of the possibility of incompatibility between 
materials used in the production process and others 
applied later.
We have selected car-care products and compiled 
recommendations which are specially matched to our 
vehicles and which always reflect the latest technology. 
You can obtain Mercedes-Benz approved car-care 
products at your authorized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck 
Center.
Wa r n i n g !
Many cleaning products can be hazardous. Some 
are poisonous, others are flammable. Always follow 
the instructions on the particular container. 
Always open your vehicle’s doors or windows when 
cleaning the inside.Never use fluids or solvents that are not designed 
for cleaning your vehicle. 

292 Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc. - capacities
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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 

294 Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc.
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Engine oils
Engine oils are specifically tested for their suitability in 
our engines. Therefore, use only engine oils 
recommended by Mercedes-Benz. Information on 
recommended brands is available at your authorized 
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center.
Please follow Service Booklet recommendations for 
scheduled oil changes. Failure to do so could result in 
engine damage not covered by the Mercedes-Benz 
Limited Warranty.
Engine oil additives
Do not blend oil additives with engine oil. They may be 
harmful to the engine operation.
Damage or malfunctions resulting from blending oil 
additives are not covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited 
War ra nt y.Air conditioner refrigerant
R-134a (HFC) refrigerant and special PAG lubricating oil 
is used in the air conditioner system.
Never use R-12 (CFC) or mineral-based lubricating oil, 
otherwise damage to the system will occur.
Brake fluid
During vehicle operation, the boiling point of the brake 
fluid is continuously reduced through the absorption of 
moisture from the atmosphere. Under extremely hard 
operating conditions, this moisture content can lead to 
the formation of bubbles in the system thus reducing 
the system’s efficiency.
The brake fluid must therefore be replaced every two 
years, preferably in the spring.
It is recommended to use only brake fluid approved by 
Mercedes-Benz. Your authorized Mercedes-Benz Light 
Truck Center will provide you with additional 
information.