
6 Contents
Vehicle careCleaning and care of the vehicle .298
Power washer ..............................299
Tar stains .....................................299
Paintwork, painted body
components .................................299
Engine cleaning ..........................300
Vehicle washing .........................300
Ornamental moldings ................300
Headlamps, taillamps, turn signal
lenses ...........................................300
Cleaning the parktronic system
sensors ......................................... 301
Window cleaning ........................ 301
Wiper blades ............................... 301
Light alloy wheels ......................302
Instrument cluster .....................302
Steering wheel and gear selector
lever ..............................................302
Cup holder ...................................302
Seat belts .....................................302
Headliner .....................................302
Upholstery ...................................303Hard plastic trim items ............. 303
Plastic and rubber parts ........... 303
Technical dataSpare parts service ....................... 306
Warranty coverage ........................ 306
Identification labels ...................... 307
Layout of poly-V-belt drive ........... 308
Technical data ................................ 309
Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc. –
capacities .................................... 314
Engine oils ....................................... 316
Engine oil additives ....................... 316
Air conditioner refrigerant ........... 316
Brake fluid ....................................... 316
Premium unleaded gasoline ......... 317
Fuel requirements ......................... 317
Gasoline additives .......................... 318
Coolants ........................................... 318
Consumer information ................. 320
IndexIndex ................................................322

178 Catalytic converter
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Catalytic converter
Your Mercedes-Benz is equipped with monolithic type
catalytic converters, an important element in
conjunction with the oxygen sensors to achieve
substantial control of the pollutants in the exhaust
emissions. Keep your vehicle in proper operating
condition by following our recommended maintenance
instructions as outlined in your Service Booklet.Caution!
To prevent damage to the catalytic converters, use only
premium unleaded gasoline in this vehicle.
Any noticeable irregularities in engine operation should
be repaired promptly. Otherwise, excessive unburned
fuel may reach the catalytic converter causing it to
overheat, which could start a fire.
Wa r n i n g !
As with any vehicle, do not idle, park or operate
this vehicle in areas where combustible materials
such as grass, hay or leaves can come into contact
with the hot exhaust system, as these materials
could be ignited and cause a vehicle fire.

236 What you should know at the gas station
Te ch n i c a 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.
ML 320 and ML 500:
Fuel tank capacity approximately 22.0 US gal (83.0 l).
This includes approximately 3.2 US gal (12.0 l) reserve.
ML 55 AMG:
Fuel tank capacity approximately 25.0 US gal (95.0 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 96 and page 255.
Fill quantity between upper and lower dipstick
marking level: 2.1 US qt (2.0 l).
Recommended engine oils, see Approved Service
Products sheet.
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.

305 Contents - Technical data
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Technical dataSpare parts service ........................306
Warranty coverage .........................306
Identification labels .......................307
Layout of poly-V-belt drive ............308
Technical data ................................309
Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc. –
capacities ................................... 314Engine oils ....................................... 316
Engine oil additives ....................... 316
Air conditioner refrigerant ........... 316
Brake fluid ....................................... 316
Premium unleaded gasoline ......... 317
Fuel requirements ......................... 317
Gasoline additives .......................... 318
Coolants ........................................... 318
Consumer information ................. 320

315 Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc. - capacities
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Brake system
(MB Brake fluid [DOT 4+])approx. 0.75 US qt (0.7 l)
Windshield / headlamp washer system
(MB Windshield washer concentrate “S”
1)approx. 8.0 US qt (7.6 l)
Cooling system
(MB Anticorrosion / antifreeze)approx. 12.7 US qt (12.0 l)
Fuel tank
including a reserve of
(Premium unleaded gasoline:
Posted Octane 91 (Avg. of 96 RON / 86 MON))ML320 / ML 500
ML 55 AMGapprox. 22.0 US gal (83.0 l)
approx. 3.2 US gal (12.0 l)
approx. 25.0 US gal (95.0 l)
approx. 3.2 US gal (12.0 l)
Air conditioner system
(R-134a refrigerant and special
PA C l u b r i c a n t (Never R-12))
1 Use MB Windshield Washer Concentrate “S” and water for temperatures above freezing or MB Windshield Washer Concentrate “S” and
commercially available premixed windshield washer solvent / antifreeze for temperatures below freezing. Follow suggested mixing ratios, see
page 259.Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc. Model Capacity

317 Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc.
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
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..

326 Index
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car careIndex
ETS (4-ETS+) ................................................................... 221
LOW RANGE – 4-ETS+ ............................................. 222
Express opening and
closing of power windows ....................................... 122
Exterior lamp switch ....................................................... 97
Daytime running lamp mode .................................. 100
Exterior lamps ................................................................ 282
Additional turn signals on
the exterior mirror ...............................................288
Adjusting headlamp aim .......................................... 290
Fog lamp assembly ................................................... 286
Fog lamps ................................................................... 103
Headlamp assembly ........................................ 283, 284
Headlamps ................................97, 283, 284, 290, 300
High mounted stop lamp .........................................289
License plate lamps .................................................. 289
Low and high beam ............................................97, 285
Parking lamp .......................................................97, 285
Replacing bulbs ......................................................... 282
Side marker lamp ......................................................285
Standing lamp .....................................................97, 285
Taillamp assemblies ................................................. 287
Turn signal lamp .................................................97, 285
Exterior mirror, front passenger side,
parking position .......................................................... 78Exterior rear view mirrors .............................................. 77
Electrically folding ...................................................... 79
Parking position ..........................................................78
FFirst aid kit ..................................................................... 250
Flat tire
See Changing wheels .............................................. 267
Flexible service system (FSS) ........................................ 94
FSS indicator lamp ............................................. 85, 247
Floor plates
Removable .................................................................. 147
Fog lamp switch ............................................................. 103
Four ETS
LOW RANGE – 4-ETS+ ............................................ 222
Malfunction indicator lamp .................................... 243
Four wheel electronic traction system (4-ETS+) .......221
Malfunction indicator lamp .................................... 243
Fuel
Gasoline additives ..................................................... 318
Premium unleaded gasoline ................... 236, 315, 317
Fuel filler flap
Manual release ......................................................... 295
Fuel requirements ......................................................... 317

327 Index
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car careIndex Fuel reserve warning ....................................................242
Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc. - Capacities .............. 314
Fuse boxes ....................................................................... 251
Fuses, electrical ............................................................. 250
GGarage door opener ....................................................... 158
Gasoline
Additives .................................................................... 318
Fuel requirements .................................................... 317
Premium unleaded ................................................... 317
General notes on the central locking system .............. 25
Glass breakage sensor .................................................... 37
Glove box ......................................................................... 133HHazard warning flasher switch ................................... 104
Head restraints
Adjusting ...................................................................... 45
Front ............................................................................. 45
Front, removal ............................................................. 45
Rear ............................................................................. 143
Removal ............................................................... 45, 143Headlamp aim, adjusting ............................................. 290
Headlamp assembly
BiXenon ..................................................................... 284
Halogen ...................................................................... 283
Headlamp cleaning system ........................................... 104
Headlamp mode ................................................................99
Headlights ......................................................................... 97
Heated seats ......................................................................46
High beam
See Exterior lamp switch ...........................................97
Hood ................................................................................ 253
Hooks ............................................................................... 151
IIdentification labels ...................................................... 307
Illuminated vanity mirrors ........................................... 131
Indicator lamps in the instrument cluster ...................84
Infant and child restraint system
Installation ................................................................... 70
Infant and child restraint systems ................................68
Child seat mounts - LATCH type ..............................72
Inflating the space-saver tire ....................................... 271
Information call
See Tele Aid ............................................................... 166