2002 MERCEDES-BENZ ML430 ESP

259 Windshield wiper
Te ch n i c a 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.

267 Tires, Wheels
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index Changing wheels
Position the vehicle jack only under the take-up bracket,
when raising the vehicle, so that it is always vertical
(plumb-line) as seen from the side, even if the vehicle is
parked on an incline.
Note:
Do not place the vehicle jack under areas marked X.
Serious personal injury and damage to the vehicle may
occur.
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.
P40.00-2034-26

272 Tires, Wheels
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index
Tire inflation pressure
A table (see fuel filler flap) lists the tire inflation
pressures specified for Mercedes-Benz recommended
tires as well as for the varying operating conditions.
Important!
Tire pressure changes by approximately 1.5 psi (0.1 bar)
per 18
°F (10
°C) of air temperature change. Keep this in
mind when checking tire pressure inside a garage –
especially in the winter.
Example:
If garage temperature = approximately +68
°F (+20
°C)
and ambient temperature = approximately +32
°F (0
°C)
then the adjusted air pressure = specified air pressure
+3 psi (+0.2 bar).Tire pressures listed for light loads are minimum values
offering high driving comfort. Increased inflation
pressures for heavy loads produce favorable handling
characteristics with lighter loads and are perfectly
permissible. The ride of the vehicle, however, will
become somewhat harder.
Tire temperature and pressure increase with the vehicle
speed. Tire pressure should therefore only be checked
and corrected on cold tires. Correct tire pressure in
warm tires only if pressure has dropped below the
pressure listed in the table and the respective operating
conditions are taken into consideration.
An underinflated tire due to a slow leak (e.g. due to a
nail in the tire) may cause damage such as tread
separation, bulging etc.. Regular tire pressure checks
(including the spare tire) at intervals of no more than
14 days are therefore essential.

274 Battery
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index
Therefore, we strongly recommend that you have the
battery charge checked frequently, and corrected if
necessary, especially if you use the vehicle less than
approximately 200 miles (300 km) per month,
mostly for short distance trips, or if it is not used for
long periods of time.
Only charge a battery with a battery charger after the
battery has been disconnected from the vehicle’s
electrical circuit.
Always disconnect the battery negative lead first and
connect last.
When removing and connecting the battery, always
make sure that all electrical consumers are off and the
key is in steering lock position 0. The battery must
always be securely installed when the vehicle is in
operation. During removal and installation always
protect the disconnected battery positive (+) terminal
with the cover attached to the battery.
While the engine is running the battery terminal clamps
must not be loosened or detached, otherwise the
generator and other electronic components would be
damaged.Note:
The gear selector lever will remain locked in
position “P” and the electronic key cannot be turned in
the steering lock if the vehicle battery is disconnected
or discharged.
After reconnecting the battery also set the clock in
instrument cluster (see page 87), set date in trip
computer (see page 89), resynchronize the sliding / pop-
up roof (see page 294) and the electronic stability
program (ESP) (see page 224).
Battery recycling
Batteries contain material that can harm the
environment with improper disposal.
Large 12 Volt storage batteries contain lead.
Recycling of batteries is the preferred method of
disposal.
Many states require sellers of batteries to accept old
batteries for recycling.

280 Towing
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index
To be certain to avoid additional damage to the vehicle
powertrain, however you should do the following:
•With damage to front axle, raise front axle. Remove
flexible drive shaft between rear axle and transfer
case
•With damage to rear axle, raise rear axle and tow
vehicle with wheel lift or dolly placed under front
wheels.
•With damage to transfer case, remove flexible drive
shafts to the drive axles.
Note:
Always install new self-locking nuts when reinstalling
the flexible drive shaft.Caution!
If the vehicle is towed with the front axle raised, the
engine must be shut off (key in steering lock position 1).
Otherwise, the 4-ETS+ may become engaged which may
cause loss of towing control. Switch off the tow-away
alarm (see page 37) as well as the ESP (see page 225).
Note:
To signal turns while being towed with hazard warning
flasher in use, turn key in steering lock to position 2
and activate combination switch for left or right turn
signal in usual manner. Now deactivate the hazard
warning flasher, only the selected turn signal will
operate. Upon canceling the turn signal, the hazard
warning flasher must be activated again.
Wa r n i n g !
With the engine not running, there is no power
assistance for the braking and steering systems. In
this case, it is important to keep in mind that a
considerably higher degree of effort is necessary to
brake and steer the vehicle.

281 Towing
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index Transmission selector lever, manually unlocking
In the case of power failure the transmission selector
lever can be manually unlocked, e.g. to tow the vehicle.
To do so, insert a pin (1), e.g. ball point pen, into the
covered opening below the position “D” of the shift
pattern. While pushing the pin down, move selector
lever from position “P”.
After removal of the pin from the opening, the cover will
not close fully. Only after moving the selector lever to
position “D–” does the cover return to its closed
position.Stranded vehicle
Freeing a stranded vehicle, on which the wheels are dug
into sand or mud, should be done with the greatest of
care, especially if the vehicle is heavily loaded.
Avoid pulling the vehicle jerkily or diagonally, since it
could result in damage to the chassis alignment.
Never try to free a vehicle that is still coupled to a
trailer.
If possible, a vehicle equipped with trailer hitch receiver
should be pulled backward in its own previously made
tracks.
P27.60-2186-26
1

309 Technical data
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Te ch n i c a l d a t a
Model ML 320 (163 154)
1
ML 500 (163 175)
1
ML 55 AMG (163 174)
1
Engine11 2 113 113
Mode of operation 4-stroke engine,
gasoline injection4-stroke engine,
gasoline injection4-stroke engine,
gasoline injection
No. of cylinders 6 8 8
Bore 3.54 in (89.90 mm) 3.54 in (89.90 mm) 3.82 in (97.00 mm)
Stroke 3.31 in (84.00 mm) 3.31 in (84.00 mm) 3.62 in (92.00 mm)
Total piston displacement 195.2 cu.in. (3199 cm
3) 303.0 cu.in. (4966 cm
3) 332.0 cu.in. (5439 cm
3)
Compression ratio 10:1 10:1 10.5:1
Output acc. to SAE J 1349 215 hp / 5600 rpm
(160 kW / 5600 rpm)288 hp / 5600 rpm
(215 kW / 5600 rpm)342 hp / 5500 rpm
(255 kW / 5500 rpm)
Maximum torque acc. to
SAE J 1349233 ft.lb / 3000 rpm
(315 Nm / 3000 rpm)325 ft.lb / 2700 rpm
(440 Nm / 2700 rpm)376 ft.lb / 2800 rpm
(510 Nm / 2800 rpm)
Maximum engine speed 6000 rpm 6000 rpm 6000 rpm
Firing order 1-4-3-6-2-5 1-5-4-2-6-3-7-8 1-5-4-2-6-3-7-8
Poly-V-belt 2390 mm 2390 mm 2390 mm
1 The quoted data apply only to the standard vehicle. See an authorized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center for the corresponding data of all
special bodies and special equipment.

314 Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc. - capacities
Te ch n i c a 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 500
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 US qt (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 US qt (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