2004 MERCEDES-BENZ ML350 automatic transmission

205 Operation
Driving instructions


Check the vehicle clearance before
crossing obstacles.


Select gear range1 on the automatic
transmission (
page 121).


Cross obstacles (e.g. tree stumps or
big rocks) very slowly by aiming one of
the front wheels at the center of the ob-
stacle, and repeat same with the rear
wheel.Ruts
A number of off-road tracks or other by-
ways have deep ruts which can cause the
undercarriage to come in contact with the
ground.


Select gear range1 on the automatic
transmission (
page 121).


Drive next to the ruts rather than
through them if at all possible.Returning from off-road driving
!Special attention is needed when you
cross obstacles on a steep incline.
The vehicle could slide sideways as a
result of its possible slanted position
which in turn may result in the vehicle
tipping or rolling over.
Warning!
G
If you feel a sudden significant vibration or
ride disturbance, or you suspect that possi-
ble damage to your vehicle has occurred,
you should turn on the hazard warning flash-
ers, carefully slow down, and drive with cau-
tion to an area which is a safe distance from
the roadway.
Inspect the tires and under the vehicle for
possible damage. If the vehicle or tires ap-
pear unsafe, have it towed to the nearest
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center or tire
dealer for repairs.

222 OperationEngine compartment
Screw filler cap2 back on filler neck.
More information on engine oil can be
found in the “Technical data” section
(
page 300) and (
page 301).
Transmission fluid level
The transmission fluid level does not need
to be checked. If you notice transmission
fluid loss or gear shifting malfunctions,
have an authorized Mercedes-Benz Light
Truck Center check the automatic trans-
mission.Coolant
The engine coolant is a mixture of water
and anticorrosion / antifreeze. To check
the coolant level, the vehicle must be
parked on level ground and the engine
must be cool.
!Excess oil must be siphoned or drained
off. It could cause damage to the
engine and catalytic converter not
covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty.
Warning!
G
In order to avoid any possibly serious burns:

Use extreme caution when opening the
hood if there are any signs of steam or
coolant leaking from the cooling system,
or if the coolant temperature gauge indi-
cates that the coolant is overheated.


Do not remove pressure cap on coolant
reservoir if engine temperature is above
194°F (90°C). Allow engine to cool
down before removing cap. The coolant
reservoir contains hot fluid and is under
pressure.


Using a rag, slowly open the cap approx-
imately ½ turn to relieve excess pres-
sure. If opened immediately, scalding
hot fluid and steam will be blown out un-
der pressure.


Do not spill antifreeze on hot engine
parts. Antifreeze contains ethylene gly-
col which may burn if it comes into con-
tact with hot engine parts.


300 Technical dataFuels, coolants, lubricants etc.
Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc.Capacities
Vehicle components and their respective
lubricants must match.Therefore use only brands tested and
approved by Mercedes-Benz.Please refer to the Factory Approved
Service Products pamphlet, or inquire at
your Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center.
Model
Capacity
Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc.
Engine with oil filter
ML 350, ML 500
8.5 US qt (8.0 l)
Approved engine oils
Automatic transmis-
sion
9.0 US qt (8.5 l)
MB Automatic Transmission Oil
Transfer case
1.6 US qt (1.5 l)
(Dexron 3 or Dexron 2E)
Rear axle
1.3 US qt (1.25 l)
(Hypoid gear oil SAE 90, 85 W 90)
Front axle
1.2 US qt (1.1 l)
(Hypoid gear oil SAE 90)
Power steering
approx. 0.65 US qt (0.6 l)
MB Power Steering Fluid
Front wheel hubs
approx. 1.5oz (43g) each
High temperature roller bearing grease

312 Technical termsEngine oil viscosity
Measurement for the inner friction (vis-
cosity) of the oil at different tempera-
tures. The higher the temperature an
oil can tolerate without becoming thin,
or the lower the temperature it can tol-
erate without becoming viscous, the
better the viscosity.
ESP
(E
lectronic S
tability Pr
ogram)
Improves vehicle handling and direc-
tional stability.
ETD
(E
mergency T
ensioning D
evice)
Device which deploys in certain frontal
and rear collisions exceeding the sys-
tem's threshold to tighten the seat
belts.
->SRSFSS
(F
lexible S
ervice S
ystem)
Service indicator in the speedometer
display that informs the driver when
the next vehicle maintenance service is
due.
Gear range
Number of gears which are available to
the automatic transmission for shifting.
The automatic gear shifting process
can be adapted to specific operating
conditions using the gear selector
lever.
GPS
(G
lobal P
ositioning S
ystem)
Satellite-based system for relaying
geographic location information to and
from vehicles equipped with special re-
ceivers. Employs CD or DVD digital
maps for navigation.GAWR
(G
ross A
xle W
eight R
ating)
The GAWR is the maximum permissible
axle weight. The gross vehicle weight
on each axle must never exceed the
GAWR for the front and rear axle indi-
cated on the certification label located
on the driver’s door pillar.
GVW
(G
ross V
ehicle W
eight)
The GVW comprises the weight of the
vehicle including fuel, tools, spare
wheel, installed accessories, passen-
gers and cargo. The GVW must never
exceed the GVWR, indicated on the
certification label located on the driv-
er’s door pillar.

315 Technical terms
Tele Aid System*
(T
elematic A
larm I
dentification on
D
emand)
The Tele Aid system consists of three
types of response: automatic and man-
ual emergency, roadside assistance
and information. Tele Aid is initially ac-
tivated by completing a subscriber
agreement and placing an acquain-
tance call.
The Tele Aid system is operational pro-
vided that the vehicle’s battery is
charged, properly connected, not dam-
aged and cellular and GPS coverage is
available.
Telematics*
A combination of the terms “telecom-
munications” and “informatics”.
Tightening torque
Force times lever arm (e.g. a lug
wrench) with which threaded fasteners
such as wheel bolts are tightened.Tire speed rating
Part of tire designation; indicates the
speed range for which a tire is ap-
proved.
Traction
Force exerted by the vehicle on the
road via the tires.
Transfer case
Speed of rotation / torque converter
that works together with the ->auto-
matic transmission. In the LOW mode
off-road position, the transfer case de-
creases the output rotational speed of
the ->automatic transmission by ap-
proximately half. This results in a corre-
sponding increase of torque on the
drive axles.
The vehicle then has nearly double the
driving force but drives only approxi-
mately half as fast.TWR
(T
ongue W
eight R
ating)
The TWR is the maximum permissible
weight on the trailer tongue.
VIN
(V
ehicle I
dentification N
umber)
The number set by the manufacturer
and placed on the body to uniquely
identify each vehicle produced.
Voice control system*
Voice control system for car phones,
portable cell phones and audio sys-
tems (radio, CD, etc.).

317 Index
A
ABS 25, 76, 311
ABS control 76
LOW RANGE mode 77
Malfunction indicator lamp 242
Warning lamp 242
Accelerator position, automatic
transmission 123
Accident
In case of 52
Activating
Air circulation mode 139
Air recirculation mode 139
Anti-theft alarm system 83
Automatic climate control 135
ESP 82
Exterior headlamps 48
Hazard warning flasher 112
Headlamps 48
High beams 110
Ignition 33Immobilizer 54, 83
Rear passenger compartment ventila-
tion and climate control 141
Rear window defroster 133
Rear window wiper 51
Residual heat 140
Seat heater* 98
Tow-away alarm 85
Warning indicators (Parktronic*) 155
Windshield wipers 50
Activating automatic central locking 93
Adding
Coolant 223
Engine oil 221
Additional turn signals 266
Adjustable steering column
Indicator lamp 253
Adjusting 34
Backrest tilt 36, 38
Exterior rear view mirror 40
Head restraint height 36, 38Head restraint tilt 37, 39
Headlamp aim 272
Instrument cluster illumination 116
Manual seat 35
Mirrors 40
Power seats* 37
Seat cushion tilt 38
Seat fore and aft 35
Seat fore and aft adjustment 37
Seat height 36, 38
Seats 34
Steering wheel 39
Adjusting air distribution
Automatic climate control 137
Adjusting air volume
Automatic climate control 137
Air conditioner (cooling)
Turning on 139
Air conditioning
Cooling 139

318 IndexAir conditioning refrigerant 302
Air outlets
Automatic climate control 142
Air pressure see Tire inflation
pressure 227
Air recirculation mode 138
Activating 139
Deactivating 139
AIRBAG OFF
Warning lamp 243
Airbags 59
BabySmart
TM airbag deactivation
system 311
BabySmartTM deactivation
system 70
Children 60
Front 63
Passenger 63
Safety guidelines 62
Side impact 64
Window curtain 64Alarm
Audible 75, 84, 86
Canceling 84, 86
Visual 83
Alarm system
Anti-theft 83
Anticorrosion/antifreeze 305
Antiglare
Automatic 126
Antilock brake system (ABS) 311
Anti-theft alarm system
Arming 83
Canceling alarm 84, 86
Disarming 84
Anti-theft systems
Anti-theft alarm system 83
Immobilizer 83
Tow-away alarm, glass breakage
sensor 84
Aquaplaning see Hydroplaning 197
Armrest
Storage compartment in front of 165
Storage spaces 165Armrest in rear seat bench 167
Ashtray
Front center console 168
Rear center console 169
ATF (automatic transmission fluid) 222
Attaching a trailer 208
Automatic antiglare for rear view
mirror 126
Automatic central locking
Activating 93
Deactivating 93
Automatic climate control 134
Adjusting air distribution 137
Adjusting air volume 137
Air conditioning 139
Air outlets 142
Air recirculation mode 138
Basic setting 137
Changing basic setting 137
Defrosting 138
Economy mode 135

319 Index
Rear passenger compartment 141
Rear window defroster 133
Residual heat utilization 140
Residual ventilation 140
Switching off 137
Switching on 137
Automatic headlamp mode 108
Automatic interior lighting control
Activating 113
Deactivating 113
Automatic locking when driving 93
Automatic transmission 119
Accelerator position 123
Emergency operation (Limp Home
Mode) 124
Gear ranges 121
Gear selector lever position 122
Gear shifting malfunctions 124
Kickdown 123
Manual shifting 120
One-touch gearshifting 120Selector lever position 119
Towing a trailer 124
Transmission fluid 222
B
BabySmart
TM
Airbag deactivation system 70
Compatible child seats 70, 311
Self-test 70
BabySmart
TM airbag deactivation
system 311
Backrest tilt 35
Backup lamps 267, 270
Bulbs 267
BAS 78, 311
Malfunction indicator lamp 245, 246,
247
Warning lamp 245, 246, 247
Batteries, remote control
Changing 262
Batteries, vehicle 223
Battery discharged
Jump starting 281Battery indicator lamp
Indicator lamp 254
Battery, vehicle 223, 278
Charging 279
Disconnecting 279
Reconnecting 279
Reinstalling 279
Removing 279
Bi-Xenon headlamps* 311
Blocking
Rear door window operation 73
Brake assist system (BAS) 311
Brake fluid 302
Brake lamp bulbs 267
Brake lamp, high mounted 267
Brake pad wear
Indicator lamp 254
Brakes 194
Warning lamp 244
Break-in period 192