Page 214 of 317

211 Driving systems
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Important!
During off-road driving a special low range system for
antilock brake system (ABS) and four-wheel electronic
traction system (4-ETS+) are operational with
transmission in the LOW RANGE mode.
In the low range mode the electronic stability program
(ESP) operates in a traction improving fashion
specifically adapted for off-road driving. At speeds
below 27 mph (45 km / h) the ESP assists in over- /
understeering, thus improving vehicle tracking.
If one or more tires lose traction while driving downhill
(accelerator released), the 4-ETS+ engages and the
warning lampv, located in the speedometer dial,
starts to f lash.
When applying the service brakes at speeds below
approximately 18 mph (30 km / h), the front wheels are
locked cyclically to shorten the braking distance (dig in
effect). This affects steering the vehicle.Notes:
Driving off or driving up to 3 mph (5 km / h) with the
service brakes applied lightly (to reduce drive wheel
spin), the 4-ETS+ remains engaged. Driving with the
service brakes applied lightly at vehicles speeds above
3 mph (5 km / h), the 4-ETS+ will not engage.
If the indicator lamp blinks fast, one or more switching
conditions were not observed, or the LOW RANGE mode
is defective.
In the case of a defective in the LOW RANGE mode the
transmission shifts in the usual manner. It is not
possible to switch on the LOW RANGE mode.
Have the transmission checked at your authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center as soon as possible.
Page 220 of 317

217 Contents - Instrument cluster display
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Instrument cluster displayMalfunction and indicator
lamps in the
instrument cluster .................... 218
On-board diagnostic system –
Check engine malfunction
indicator lamp ............................. 218
Brake warning lamp .................. 219
Supplemental restraint system
(SRS) indicator lamp .................. 219
Fuel reserve warning .................220Electronic stability
program (ESP) / Electronic
traction system (ETS) –
warning lamp ............................. 221
BAS/ESP malfunction
indicator lamp ............................ 221
4-ETS malfunction
indicator lamp ............................ 221
LOW RANGE
indicator lamp ............................ 221
ABS malfunction
indicator lamp ............................ 222Adjustable steering wheel –
indicator lamp .............................222
AIRBAG OFF
indicator lamp .............................222
Seat belt warning lamp .............223
Charge indicator lamp ...............223
Low engine oil level
warning lamp ..............................224
Low engine coolant
level warning ..............................224
Brake pad wear
indicator lamp .............................225
FSS indicator ...............................225
Page 225 of 317

222 Malfunction and indicator lamps
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
ABS malfunction indicator lamp
The ABS malfunction indicator lamp in the
instrument cluster comes on with the key in
steering lock position 2 and should go out
with the engine running.
When the ABS malfunction indicator lamp in the
instrument cluster comes on while the engine is
running, it indicates that the ABS has detected a
malfunction and has switched off. In this case, the brake
system functions in the usual manner, but without
antilock assistance.
With the ABS malfunctioning, the BAS, ESP and 4-ETS+
are also switched off. Both malfunction indicator lamps
come on with the engine running.
If the charging voltage falls below 10 volts, the
malfunction indicator lamp comes on and the ABS is
switched off. When the voltage is above this value again,
the malfunction indicator lamp should go out and the
ABS is operational.
Have the system checked at your authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center as soon as possible.
See page 201 for notes on antilock brake system (ABS).Adjustable steering wheel – indicator lamp
The indicator lamp in the instrument cluster
comes on with the key in steering lock
position 2 and should go out with the engine
running.
If the indicator lamp does not go out after starting the
engine, the adjustable steering column is not properly
locked.
For locking the adjustable telescoping steering column,
see page 70.
AIRBAG OFF indicator lamp
The indicator lamp will light up for
approximately 6 seconds, extinguish, then
blink once, when you turn the key in
steering lock to position 1 or 2.
The 7 indicator lamp stays lit as long as a
BabySmart
TM compatible child seat is properly installed
on the front passenger seat. It indicates that the front
passenger airbag is switched off.
See page 53 for BabySmart
TM airbag and its deactivation
system.
BabySmart
TM is a trademark of Siemens Automotive Corp.
ABS
Page 230 of 317

227 Contents - Practical hints
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index
Practical hintsFirst aid kit .....................................228
Fuses ................................................228
Electrical outlet ..............................230
Stowing things in the vehicle ......230
Hood ................................................. 231
Checking engine oil level .............233
Automatic transmission
fluid level ...................................234
Engine oil consumption ................234
Coolant level ...................................234
Adding coolant ...........................235
Windshield washer/headlamp
cleaning system .........................236
Windshield and
headlamp washer fluid
mixing ratio ................................237Vehicle jack, wheel bolt
wrench and screwdriver ......... 237
Air pump ......................................... 239
Wheels ............................................ 240
Tire replacement ....................... 240
Rotating wheels ......................... 241
Spare wheel .................................... 242
Changing wheels ........................... 245
Tire inflation pressure ................. 250
Battery ............................................. 251
Jump starting ................................. 253
Towing the vehicle ........................ 255
Transmission selector lever,
manually unlocking .................. 259
Stranded vehicle ............................ 259Exterior lamps ................................260
Headlamp assembly ................... 261
Taillamp assemblies ..................265
Adjusting headlamp aim ...............268
Remote control
battery replacement .................270
Synchronizing
remote control ............................ 271
Emergency operation of
sliding/pop-up roof ...................272
Emergency operation of
Skyview Top ...............................273
Manual release for
fuel filler flap ............................. 274
Replacing wiper blades .................275
Roof rack ......................................... 276
Page 231 of 317
228 First aid kit
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index
First aid kit
All except model ML 55 AMG:
The first aid kit is located behind the cover in the left
rear cargo compartment trim panel.
Turn both handles (1) left and open cover.
Model ML 55 AMG:
The first aid kit is stored inside the spare wheel cover
located in the cargo compartment.
Open buckles and remove spare wheel cover,
see page 242.Fuses
Before replacing a blown fuse, determine the cause of
the short circuit.
Spare fuses and a special fuse puller are supplied inside
the fuse box cover. Observe amperage and color of fuse.
Always use a new fuse for replacement. Never attempt to
repair or bridge a blown fuse.
A fuse chart can be found inside the corresponding fuse
box cover.
Page 240 of 317

237 Windshield wiper
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index Windshield and headlamp washer
fluid mixing ratio
For temperatures above freezing:
MB Windshield Washer Concentrate “S” and water
1 part “S” to 100 parts water
(40 ml “S” to 1 gallon water).
For temperature below freezing:
MB Windshield Washer Concentrate “S” and
commercially available premixed windshield washer
solvent / antifreeze
1 part “S” to 100 parts solvent
(40 ml “S” to 1 gallon solvent).Vehicle jack, wheel bolt wrench and screwdriver
Wa r n i n g !
The jack is designed exclusively for jacking up the
vehicle at the jack take-up brackets built into either
side of the vehicle. To help avoid personal injury,
use the jack only to lift the vehicle during a wheel
change. Never get beneath the vehicle while it is
supported by the jack. Keep hands and feet away
from the area under the lifted vehicle. Always
firmly set parking brake and block wheels before
raising vehicle with jack.Do not disengage parking brake while the vehicle is
raised. Be certain that the jack is always vertical
when in use, especially on hills. Always try to use
the jack on level surface. Be sure that the jack arm
end is fully seated in the jack take-up bracket.
Always lower the vehicle onto sufficient capacity
jackstands before working under the vehicle.
Page 241 of 317
238 Spare wheel, vehicle jack
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index
The vehicle jack, wheel bolt wrench and screwdriver are
located in the rear cargo compartment behind the cover
in the right side trim panel.
To get to tools, first remove trim panel cover by turning
both handles to left, and then swing aside CD-player (if
so equipped).Unscrew plastic nut (1) and lift out vehicle jack.
See illustration for proper storage of jack and wheel bolt
wrench.
Warnung!Sich nicht unter
das nur mit dem W
agenheber
aufgebockte Fahrzeug begeben!Warnung!Sich nicht unter
das nur mit dem W
agenheber
aufgebockte Fahrzeug begeben!
Page 242 of 317
239 Spare wheel, vehicle jack
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index 2Ve h i c l e j a c k
3Screwdriver
4Wheel bolt wrench
The screwdriver is placed inside the wheel bolt wrench
handle.Air pump (ML 55 AMG)
1Air pump
2Storage compartment
The air pump is located behind the space-saver spare
wheel.
The air pump is secured with a strap.
1
2