ContentsPractical hints.................................. 223
What to do if … .................................. 224
Lamps in instrument cluster ......... 224
Additional indicators in the
speedometer display .................... 235
Where will I find ...?............................ 236
First aid kit ................................... 236
Vehicle tool kit ............................. 237
Electric air pump (ML 55 AMG) .... 238
Spare wheel (space-saver tire) ..... 239
Unlocking/locking in an emergency .. 242
Unlocking the vehicle ................... 242
Locking the vehicle ...................... 243
Changing batteries ....................... 243
Fuel filler flap ............................... 244
Manually unlocking the
transmission selector lever .......... 245
Opening/closing in an emergency ..... 246
Sliding/pop-up roof* .................... 246
Replacing bulbs ................................. 247
Bulbs ............................................ 247
Replacing bulbs for front lamps.... 249
Replacing bulbs for rear lamps ..... 251
Adjusting headlamp aim ............... 253Replacing wiper blades ...................... 254
Removal ....................................... 254
Installation ................................... 254
Flat tire .............................................. 255
Mounting the spare wheel ............ 255
Battery ............................................... 261
Disconnecting the battery ............ 261
Removing the batteries ................ 262
Charging and reinstalling
batteries....................................... 262
Reconnecting the batteries .......... 262
Jump starting ..................................... 264
Towing the vehicle ............................. 267
Front towing eye .......................... 269
Rear towing eye ........................... 269
Stranded vehicle .......................... 270
Fuses ................................................. 271
Fuse box in engine
compartment ............................... 271
Auxiliary fuse box in front
passenger footwell ....................... 272
Technical data................................. 273
Spare parts service............................ 274
Warranty coverage ............................ 275
Loss of Service and Warranty
Information Booklet ..................... 275
Identification labels ........................... 276
Layout of poly-V-belt drive ................. 277
Engine ............................................... 278
Rims and tires ................................... 279
Rims and tires .............................. 279
Rims and winter tires* ................. 280
Spare wheel ................................. 280
Electrical system ............................... 281
Main Dimensions ............................... 282
Weights ............................................. 283
Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc. .......... 284
Capacities .................................... 284
Engine oils ................................... 286
Engine oil additives ...................... 286
Air conditioning refrigerant .......... 286
Brake fluid.................................... 286
Premium unleaded gasoline ......... 286
Fuel requirements ........................ 287
Gasoline additives ........................ 287
Coolants ...................................... 287
187 Operation
Driving instructions
Checklist before off-road driving
Tires
Check the tread depth and maintain
specified tire pressure (see tire pres-
sure label inside the fuel filler flap).
Check tires for possible damage and
remove foreign objects.
Replace missing valve caps.
Rims
Dented or bent rims can cause tire
pressure loss and damage the tire
beads. For this reason, check and, if
necessary, 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 angle125° (ML 320, ML 350, ML 500)
21° (ML 55 AMG)
226°(ML 320, ML 350, ML 500)
23° (ML 55 AMG)
!Observe the following during off-road
driving:
Adjust vehicle speed to condition of
terrain. The more uneven, rutty and
steeper the terrain, the lower the
speed should be
Watch out for obstacles, such as
rocks, holes, tree stumps and ruts.
Be especially careful when driving
in unknown territory. It may be nec-
essary to get out of the vehicle and
scout the path you intend to take.
Continuous and speedy driving in
sandy soil overcomes the vehicle
rolling resistance, and helps to pre-
vent the vehicle from sinking into
the ground.
Do not initiate jumps with the vehi-
cle. It interrupts the forward mo-
mentum of the vehicle.
Always drive onto slopes with the
the engine running and the vehicle
in gear.
209 Operation
Tires and wheels
Tires and wheels
See your authorized Mercedes-Benz Light
Truck Center for information on tested and
recommended rims and tires for summer
and winter operation. They can also offer
advice concerning tire service and pur-
chase.
Retread tires are not tested or recom-
mended by Mercedes-Benz, since previous
damage cannot always be recognized on
retreads. Mercedes-Benz can therefore
not assure the operating safety of the vehi-
cle when such tires are used.
See your authorized Mercedes-Benz Light
Truck Center for information on tested and
recommended rims and tires for summer
and winter operation.
Important guidelines
Use only sets of tires and rims of the
same type and make.
Tires must be of the correct size for the
rim.
Break in new tires for approximately
60 miles (100 km) at moderate
speeds.
Regularly check the tires and rims for
damage.
If vehicle is heavily loaded, check tire
pressure and correct as required.
Do not allow your tires to wear down
too far. Adhesion properties on wet
roads are sharply reduced at tread
depths under
1/8in (3 mm).
When replacing individual tires, you
should mount new tires on the front
wheels first.
Warning!
G
Replace rims or tires with the same designa-
tion, manufacturer and type as shown on the
original part. See your authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center for fur-
ther information. If incorrectly sized rims
and tires are mounted:
The wheel brakes or suspension compo-
nents can be damaged
The correct operating clearance of the
wheels and the tires are no longer guar-
anteed
Warning!
G
Worn, old tires can cause accidents. If the
tire tread is badly worn, or if the tires have
sustained damage, replace them.
When replacing rims, use only genuine
Mercedes-Benz wheel bolts specified for the
particular rim type. Failure to do so can re-
sult in the bolts loosening and possibly an
accident.
212 OperationTires and wheelsRotating wheels
The wheels can be rotated every 3000 to
6000 miles (5 000 to 10 000 km) or sooner
if necessary, according to the degree of
tire wear. The same direction of tire rota-
tion must be retained.
Rotate the wheels before the characteris-
tic tire wear pattern becomes visible
(shoulder wear on front wheels and tread
center wear on rear wheels).
Thoroughly clean the inner side of the
wheels after each rotation. Check and en-
sure proper tire inflation pressure.Information on changing a wheel can be
found in the “Practical hints” section
(
page 255).
Warning!
G
Rotate front and rear wheels only if they are
of the same size,
Warning!
G
Have the tightening torque checked after
changing a wheel. Wheels could become
loose if not tightened with a torque of
110 ft.lb. (150 Nm).
Use only genuine Mercedes-Benz wheel
bolts specified for your vehicle's rims.
273 Technical data
Spare parts service
Warranty coverage
Identification labels
Layout of poly-V-belt drive
Engine
Rims and tires
Electrical system
Main Dimensions
Weights
Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc.
Consumer information
279 Technical data
Rims and tires
Rims and tires
Use only tires and rims which have been
specifically developed for your vehicle and
tested and approved by Mercedes-Benz.
Other tires and rims can have detrimental
effects, such as
poor handling characteristics
increased noise
increased fuel consumption
Rims and tires
!Moreover, tires and rims not approved
by Mercedes-Benz may, under load, ex-
hibit dimensional variations and differ-
ent tire deformation characteristics
under load that could cause them to
come into contact with the vehicle
body or axle parts. Damage to the tires
or the vehicle may be the result.
iFurther information on tires and rims is
available at any authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center. A
tire inflation pressure table is located
on the fuel filler cap of the vehicle. The
tire pressure should be checked regu-
larly and should only be adjusted on
cold tires. Follow tire manufacturer’s
maintenance recommendation includ-
ed with vehicle.
Model
ML 320, ML 350
ML 500
ML 55 AMG
Rims (light alloy)
8 J x 17 H2 ET 52
8 ½ J x 17 H2 ET 52
9 J x 18 H2 ET 52
Wheel offset
2.0 in (52 mm)
2.0 in (52 mm)
2.0 in (52 mm)
All season tires (radial-ply-tires)
255/60 R17 106 H
275/55 R17 109 V
285/50 R18 109 W
1
1Must not be used with snow chains.Rims* (light alloy)
8 ½ J x 17 H2 ET 47
8 ½ J x 17 H2 ET 47
-
Wheel offset*
1.85 in (47 mm)
1.85 in (47 mm)
-
All season tires (radial-ply-tires)*
275/55 R17 109 V
275/55 R17 109 V
-
280 Technical dataRims and tiresRims and winter tires*Spare wheelModel
ML 55 AMG
Rims (light alloy)
8 ½ J x 17 H2 ET 52
Wheel offset
2.0 in (52 mm)
All season tires (radial-ply-tires)
275/55 R17 109 H
Model
ML 320, ML 350, ML 500, ML 55 AMG
Rim
4Jx18 H 2 ET0
Wheel offset
0 in (0 mm)
Space-saver tire
T155/90 D18 113M
1
1Must not be used with snow chains.
313 Index
Regular checks 201
Reinstalling vehicle battery 262
Remote control
Changing battery 243
Global locking 85
Global unlocking 85
Synchronizing 244
Unlocking liftgate 85
Unlocking the driver’s door, fuel filler
flap 85
Unlocking with 32
Remote control with folding key 84
Remote controls
Integrated 169
Remote door unlock
With Tele Aid* 167
Remote Vehicle Diagnostics 295
Removing
Head restraint 92
Vehicle battery 262
Wheel 257
Wiper blades 254
Removing spare wheel (except
ML 55 AMG) 239
Removing spare wheel (ML 55 AMG) 240Replacing
Backup lamp bulbs 251
Brake lamp bulbs 251
Bulbs 247
Front lamp bulbs 249
Front turn signal bulbs 249
Fuses 271
High beam bulbs 250
High mounted brake lamp 252
License plate lamp bulbs 252
Low beam bulbs 249
Rear fog lamp bulbs 251
Rear lamp bulbs 248, 251
Rear parking lamp bulbs 251
Rear side marker lamp bulbs 251
Rear standing lamp bulbs 251
Rear turn signal bulbs 251
Wiper blades 254
Replacing front fog lamp bulb 251
Reporting
Safety defects 19
Resetting
Service indicator (FSS) 216
Trip odometer 112
Residual heat utilization 130, 295Residual ventilation 130
REST (Residual engine heat utilization) 295
Restraint system 295
Restraint system see Infant and child re-
straint systems 63, 67
Restraint systems 54
Airbags 54
Child seat recognition 54
Child seats 54
Emergency tensioning device (ETD) 54
Lower anchors and tethers for children
(LATCH) 54
Seat belts 54
Returning from off-road driving 191
Rims 279
Roadside assistance 12
Tele Aid* 163
Rolling code programming 170
RON 200
RON (Research Octane Number) 296
Roof rack 145
Rotating wheels 212
Rubber parts
Cleaning 222