2004 MERCEDES-BENZ ML500 service interval

12 IntroductionOperator’s ManualMaintenance
The Service Booklet describes all the nec-
essary maintenance work which should be
performed at regular intervals.
Always have the Service Booklet with you
when you take the vehicle to your autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center
for service. The service advisor will record
each service in the booklet for you.
Roadside Assistance
The Mercedes-Benz Roadside Assistance
Program provides factory-trained technical
help in the event of a breakdown. Calls to
the toll-free Roadside Assistance number
1-800-FOR-MERCedes (in the USA)
1-800-387-0100 (in Canada)
will be answered by Mercedes-Benz Cus-
tomer Assistance Representatives
24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Roadside Assistance will be provided in ac-
cordance with standard program guide-
lines which include providing service to the
vehicle up to a reasonable distance from a
paved roadway. We will make every effort
to assist in a breakdown situation, howev-
er, the accessibility of your vehicle will be
determined by our authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center techni-
cian or the tow service provider on a
case-by-case basis and may be a factor in
our ability to respond.Additional charges may be applicable for a
breakdown location determined not to be a
reasonably accessible roadside location as
determined by our authorized technician
and tow service provider.
For additional information refer to the
Mercedes-Benz Roadside Assistance Pro-
gram Brochure in your glove box.

193 Operation
Driving instructions
Driving instructions
Drive sensibly – save fuel
Fuel consumption, to a great extent, de-
pends on driving habits and operating con-
ditions.
To save fuel you should:

Keep tires at the recommended infla-
tion pressures


Remove unnecessary loads


Allow engine to warm up under low
load use


Avoid frequent acceleration and decel-
eration


Have all maintenance work performed
at the intervals specified in the Service
Booklet and as required by the FSS.
Contact your authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center
Fuel consumption is also increased by driv-
ing in cold weather, in stop-and-go traffic,
on short trips and in hilly country.
Drinking and driving
PedalsPower assistance
Warning!
G
Drinking and driving and / or taking drugs
and driving are a very dangerous combina-
tion. Even a small amount of alcohol or
drugs can affect your reflexes, perceptions
and judgement.
The possibility of a serious or even fatal ac-
cident are greatly increased when you drink
or take drugs and drive.
Do not drink or take drugs and drive or allow
anyone to drive who has been drinking or
taking drugs.
Warning!
G
Keep driver’s foot area clear at all times. Ob-
jects stored in this area may impair pedal
movement.Warning!
G
With the engine is not running, there is no
power assistance for the brake 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 ve-
hicle.

221 Operation
Engine compartment

If necessary, add engine oil.
For adding engine oil see (
page 221).
More information on engine oil can be
found in the “Technical data” section
(
page 300) and (
page 301).
See the “Practical hints” section
(
page 253) if the low engine oil level
warning lamp in the instrument cluster
flashes.Adding engine oil
1Oil dipstick
2Filler cap

Unscrew filler cap2 from filler neck.

Add engine oil as required. Be careful
not to overfill with oil.
Be careful not to spill any oil when adding.
Avoid environmental damage caused by oil
entering the ground or water.
iThe filling quantity between the upper
and lower marks on the oil dipstick is
approximately 2.1 US qt. (2.0 l).
!Only use approved engine oils. For a
listing of approved engine oils, refer to
the Factory Approved Service Products
pamphlet in your vehicle literature port-
folio.
In addition, check the oil filler cap for
important information pertaining to the
engine oil needing to meet a specific
Mercedes-Benz specification
(e.g. MB 229.5). If such information is
printed on the oil filler cap, only use an
engine oil from the list of approved en-
gine oils in the Factory Approved Ser-
vice Products pamphlet that meets the
specification indicated on the oil filler
cap. Using engine oils of other specifi-
cation may cause the FSS to incorrect-
ly determine the next service interval
and will result in engine damage not
covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty.


223 Operation
Engine compartment
1Cap
2COLD LEVEL mark
The coolant level should reach the COLD
LEVEL mark2 in the reservoir.

Using a rag, turn the cap slowly approx-
imately one half turn to the left to re-
lease any excess pressure.

Continue turning the cap to the left and
remove it.

Add coolant as required.

Replace and tighten cap.
More information on coolant can be found
in the “Technical data” section
(
page 304).
Battery
The battery is located in the engine com-
partment.
The battery should always be sufficiently
charged in order to achieve its rated ser-
vice life. Refer to Service Booklet for bat-
tery maintenance intervals.
If you use your vehicle mostly for
short-distance trips, you will need to have
the battery charge checked more frequent-
ly.When replacing batteries, always use bat-
teries approved by Mercedes-Benz.
If you do not intend to operate your vehicle
for an extended period of time, consult an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck
Center about steps you need to observe.
iIf the engine is already at its regular op-
erating temperature, the coolant may
be approximately 0.6 in (1.5 cm) above
the COLD LEVEL mark.
G
Observe all safety instructions
and precautions when handling
automotive batteries.
A
Risk of explosion
D
Keep flames or sparks away
from battery. Do not smoke.
B
Battery acid is caustic. Do not
allow it to come into contact
with skin, eyes or clothing.
In case it does, immediately
flush affected area with clear
water and seek medical help if
necessary.

232 OperationMaintenance
MaintenanceWe strongly recommend that you have
your vehicle serviced by your authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center, in
accordance with the Service Booklet at the
times called for by the FSS (Flexible Ser-
vice System).
Failure to have the vehicle maintained in
accordance with the Service Booklet at the
designated times / mileage called for by
the FSS may result in vehicle damage not
covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty.
FSS will notify you when your next service
is due.1Knob
2Display in the speedometer
Approximately one month before your next
service is due, the type of service is indi-
cated in the speedometer display2:
9Minor service (A)
½Major service (B)
The following information, depending on
operating conditions throughout the year,
is also shown:


calculated distance remaining


calculated remaining time in days
Clearing the service indicator
The service indicator is automatically
cleared after ten seconds when you switch
on the ignition or when reaching the ser-
vice threshold while driving. You can also
clear it yourself.
Press knob1.iThe interval between services depends
on your driving habits. A gentle driving
style, moderate engine speeds and the
avoidance of short-distance trips will
lengthen the interval between services.

233 Operation
Maintenance
Service term exceeded
If you have exceeded the suggested ser-
vice term:

the9 or ½symbol appears in
the display2 for 30 seconds and a
signal sounds after switching on the
ignition.


it is preceded by a “–” (minus symbol).
The Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center will
reset the service indicator following a com-
pleted service.
Calling up the service indicator
Within one second press knob1
twice.
The FSS display will appear for
ten seconds.
Resetting the service indicator
In the event that the service on your vehi-
cle is not carried out by an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center, you
can reset the service indicator yourself.
Switch ignition on and immediately
press knob1 twice within
one second.
The present status for days or distance
is displayed.

Within ten seconds turn the key in
steering lock to position0 (
page 33).

Press and hold knob1 while switch-
ing the ignition on.
The present status for days or distance
is displayed once more.

Continue to hold knob1.
After approximately ten seconds a sig-
nal sounds, and the display shows
10 000 miles (Canada: 15 000 km) for
approximately ten seconds.

Release knob1.
iIf the service indicator was inadvertent-
ly reset, have a Mercedes-Benz Light
Truck Center correct it.
Only reset if the proper service has
been performed. Resetting the system
without performing the proper service
as called for by the FSS will cause the
FSS to incorrectly determine the next
service interval which will result in en-
gine damage not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
If the battery is disconnected, the days
of disconnection will not be included in
the count shown by the service indica-
tor. To arrive at the true service dead-
line, you will need to subtract these
days from the days shown in the ser-
vice indicator.
Do not confuse the service indicator
with the engine oil level indicator:.

254 Practical hintsWhat to do if …Problem
Possible cause
Suggested solution
#
The red charge indicator lamp
comes on when the engine is
running.
The battery is no longer charging.
Possible causes:

alternator malfunctioning


broken poly-V-belt

Stop immediately and check the
poly-V-belt.
If it is broken

Do not continue to drive, before the
poly-V-belt is replaced.
Notify an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Light Truck Center.
2
The yellow brake indicator lamp
comes on during braking or after
starting the engine.
The brake pads are worn down.

Have the system checked at an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck
Center.
!Brake pad thickness must be visually
checked by a qualified technician at the
intervals specified in the Service book-
let.

278 Practical hintsBattery
BatteryThe battery is located on the passenger
side of the engine compartment.
1Negative terminal
2Positive terminal
Warning!
G
Failure to follow these instructions can re-
sult in severe injury or death.
Observe all safety instructions and precau-
tions when handling automotive batteries
(page 223).
Never lean over batteries while connecting,
you might get injured.
Battery fluid contains sulfuric acid. Do not
allow this fluid to come in contact with eyes,
skin or clothing. In case it does, immediately
flush affected area with water and seek
medical help if necessary.
A battery will also produce hydrogen gas,
which is flammable and explosive. Keep
flames or sparks away from battery, avoid
improper connection of jumper cables,
smoking etc.
!Never loosen or detach battery termi-
nal clamps while the engine is running
or the key is in the steering lock. Other-
wise the alternator and other electronic
components could be severely dam-
aged.
Have the battery checked regularly by
an authorized Mercedes-Benz Light
Truck Center.
Refer to Service Booklet for mainte-
nance intervals or contact your autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck
Center for further information.Warning!
G
Do not place metal objects on the battery as
this could result in a short circuit.
Use leak-proof battery only to avoid the risk
of acid burns in the event of an accident.