2005 MERCEDES-BENZ ML350 light

314 Technical dataFuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.Engine oils
Engine oils are specifically tested for their
suitability in our engines and durability for
our service intervals. Therefore, only use
approved engine oils and oil filters re-
quired for vehicles with Maintenance Sys-
tem (U.S. vehicles) or FSS (Canada
vehicles). For a listing of approved engine
oils and oil filters, refer to the Factory Ap-
proved Service Products pamphlet, or con-
tact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Light
Truck Center.
Using engine oils and oil filters of specifica-
tion other than those expressly required
for the Maintenance System
(U.S. vehicles) or FSS (Canada vehicles), or
changing of oil and oil filter at change inter-
vals longer than those called for by the
Maintenance System (U.S. vehicles) or
FSS (Canada vehicles) will result in engine
damage not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.Please follow Maintenance System
(U.S. vehicles) or FSS (Canada vehicles)
recommendations for schedulded oil
changes. Failure to do so could result in
engine damage not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
Engine oil additives
Do not blend oil additives with engine oil.
They may damage the engine.
Damage or malfunctions resulting from
blending oil additives are not covered by
the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.Air conditioning refrigerant
R-134a (HFC) refrigerant and special PAG
lubricating oil are used in the air condition-
ing system.
Never use R-12 (CFC) or mineral-based lu-
bricating oil. Otherwise damage to the
system will occur.
Brake fluid
During vehicle operation, the boiling point
of the brake fluid is continuously reduced
through the absorption of moisture from
the atmosphere. Under extremely strenu-
ous operating conditions, this moisture
content can lead to the formation of bub-
bles in the system, thus reducing the
system’s efficiency.
Therefore, the brake fluid must be
replaced every two years, preferably in the
spring.
Only brake fluid approved by
Mercedes-Benz is recommended. Your
authorized Mercedes-Benz Light Truck
Center will provide you with additional in-
formation.

315 Technical data
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.
Premium unleaded gasoline
Fuel requirements
Only use premium unleaded fuel.

The octane number (posted at the
p um p) m us t be 91 mi n. It i s an a vera ge
of both the Research (R) octane num-
ber and the Motor (M) octane number:
(R+M) / 2). This is also known as the
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 must not 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.
Gasoline additives
A major concern among engine manufac-
turers is carbon build-up caused by gaso-
line. Mercedes-Benz recommends only the
use of quality gasoline containing additives
that prevent the build-up of carbon depos-
its.
After an extended period of using fuels
without such additives carbon deposits
can build up, especially on the intake
valves and in the combustion area, leading
to engine performance problems such as:

Warm-up hesitation


Unstable idle


Knocking / pinging


Misfire


Power loss
!To maintain the engine’s durability and
performance, premium unleaded gaso-
line must be used. If premium unleaded
is not available and low octane fuel is
used, follow these precautions:

Have the fuel tank only partially
filled 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.

317 Technical data
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.
If the coolant level is low, water and
MB 325.0 anticorrosion / antifreeze
should be used to bring it up to the proper
level (have cooling system checked for
signs of leakage). Please make sure the
mixture is in accordance with label instruc-
tions.
The water in the cooling system must meet
minimum requirements, which are usually
satisfied by normal drinking water. If you
are not sure about the water quality, con-
sult an authorized Mercedes-Benz Light
Truck Center.

318 Technical dataFuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.Anticorrosion / antifreeze
Your vehicle contains a number of
aluminum parts. The use of aluminum
components in motor vehicle engines ne-
cessitates that anticorrosion / antifreeze
coolant used in such engines be
specifically formulated to protect the
aluminum parts. (Failure to use such anticorrosion / antifreeze coolant will
result in a significantly shortened service
life.)
Therefore, the following product is strongly
recommended for use in your vehicle:
Mercedes-Benz 325.0
anticorrosion / antifreeze agent.Before the start of the winter season (or
once a year in hot southern regions), you
should have the anticorrosion / antifreeze
concentration checked. The coolant is also
regularly checked each time you bring your
vehicle to an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Light Truck Center for service.
Anticorrosion / antifreeze quantityModel
Approx. freeze protection– 35°F (– 37°C)
– 49°F (– 45°C)
ML 350, ML 500,
6.4 US qt (6.0 l)
7.0 US qt (6.6 l)

323 Technical terms
ABS
(A
ntilock B
rake S
ystem)
Prevents the wheels from locking up
during braking so that the vehicle can
continue to be steered.
BabySmart
TM airbag deactivation
system
This system detects if a special system
compatible child restraint seat is in-
stalled on the front passenger seat. The
system will automatically deactivate
the passenger front airbag when such a
seat is properly installed (indicator
lamp7 in the instrument cluster
lights up). See an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center for
availability.
BabySmartTM compatible child seats
Special restraint system for children.
The sensor system for the passenger
seat prevents deployment of the pas-
senger front airbag if a BabySmart
TM
compatible child seat is installed.BAS
(B
rake A
ssist S
ystem)
System for potentially reducing braking
distances in emergency braking situa-
tions. The system is activated when it
senses an emergency based on how
fast the brake is applied.
Bi-Xenon headlamps*
Headlamps which use an electric arc as
the light source and produce a more
intense light than filament headlamps.
Bi-Xenon headlamps produce low
beam and high beam.
CAC
(C
ustomer A
ssistance C
enter)
Mercedes-Benz customer service
center, which can help you with any
questions about your vehicle and
provide assistance in the event of a
breakdown.CAN system
(C
ontroller A
rea N
etwork)
Data bus network serving to control
vehicle functions such as door locking
or windshield wiping.
Cockpit
All instruments, switches, buttons and
indicator / warning lamps in the
passenger compartment needed for
vehicle operation and monitoring.
Cruise control
Driving convenience system for
automatically maintaining the vehicle
speed set by the driver.
Engine number
The number set by the manufacturer
and placed on the cylinder block to
uniquely identify each engine
produced.

331 Index
Automatic headlamp mode 108
Automatic interior lighting control
Activating 114
Deactivating 114
Automatic locking when driving 93
Automatic transmission
Accelerator position 124
Emergency operation
(Limp Home Mode) 126
Gear ranges 122
Gear selector lever position 123
Gear shifting malfunctions 126
Kickdown 124
Manual shifting 121
One-touch gearshifting 121
Selector lever position 120
Towing a trailer 125
Transmission fluid 227
B
BabySmart
TM
Airbag deactivation system 70
Compatible child seats 70, 323
Self-test 70
BabySmart
TM airbag
deactivation system 323Backrest tilt 36
Backup lamps 275, 279
Bulbs 275
BAS 78, 323
Malfunction indicator lamp 251, 252,
253
Warning lamp 251
Batteries, remote control
Replacing 273
Battery discharged
Jump starting 291
Battery indicator lamp
Indicator lamp 261
Battery, vehicle 228, 272
Charging 289
Disconnecting 289
Reconnecting 289
Reinstalling 289
Removing 289
Bi-Xenon headlamps* 323
Block heater (Canada only) 236
Blocking
Rear door window operation 74
Brake assist system (BAS) 323
Brake fluid 314
Brake lamp bulbs 275Brake pad wear
Indicator lamp 261
Brakes 198
Warning lamp 250
Break-in period 196
Bulbs, replacing 274
Additional turn signals 274
Backup lamps 275
Brake lamps 275
Fog lamps 274
Front fog lamp 279
Front lamps 274
High beam 274
High mounted brake lamp 281
License plate lamps 275, 281
Low beam 274
Parking, standing lamp 274
Rear fog lamps 279
Rear side marker lamp bulbs 279
Side marker lamps 274, 275
Standing lamps 274
Tail lamp assemblies 279
Turn signal lamps 274, 275
Turn signal, side marker lamp 274

332 IndexC
CAC (Customer Assistance Center) 323
Calibrating compass 191
California
Important notice 11
Calling up
Service indicator 238
CAN system 323
Capacities
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc. 312
Cargo area see Cargo compartment
Cargo compartment
Liftgate 89
Lighting 116
Tie-down rings 161
Cargo compartment cover blind* 164
Closing 164
Installing 165
Opening 164
Removing 164
Cargo floor plates 165
Installing 166
Removing 165
Storing 165Cargo tie-down rings 161
Catalytic converter 217
CD-changer* 265
Center console 27
Lower part 28
Upper part 27
Central locking
Automatic 93
From inside 94
Switch 94
Unlocking from inside 94
Central locking switch 94
Certification label 304
Charge indicator lamp 261
Charging
Vehicle battery 289
Chart
Fuses 298
CHECK ENGINE malfunction
indicator lamp 254, 255Checking
Coolant level 227
Oil level 223
Tire inflate pressure 221
Vehicle lighting 221
Checking weights
Trailer and vehicle 213
Checklist
Off-road driving 205
Returning from off-road driving 210
Child safety 67
Airbags 60
Infant and child
restraint systems 64, 68
LATCH child seat mounts 73
Child safety switch see Blocking of rear
door window operation
Cigarette lighter
Front center console 171

333 Index
Cleaning
Cup holder 244
Gear selector lever 244
Hard plastic trim items 244
Headlamps 133
Headliner 244
Instrument cluster 244
Leather upholstery 245
Light alloy wheels 244
MB Tex upholstery 245
Plastic and rubber parts 245
Seat belts 244
Steering wheel 244
Windows 243
Windshield 51
Wiper blades 243
Clock 26, 119
Closing
Glove box 167
Hood 223
Liftgate 92
Power tilt/sliding sunroof* 271
Rear quarter windows* 149
Side windows 147
Tilt/sliding sunroof* 150Closing tilt/sliding sunroof*
In an emergency 271
Cockpit 22, 323
Combination switch
High beam flasher 50
Turn signals 50
Windshield wipers 51
Compass 190
Calibrating 191
Setting compass zone 191
Compass zone 191
Consumer information 320
Control and operation of radio
transmitters 216
Coolant 227, 316
Adding 228
Anticorrosion/antifreeze
quantity 316
Checking level 227
Indicator lamp 256
Temperature 218
Temperature gauge 118Coolant level
Checking 227
Crossing obstacles 209
Cruise control 153, 323
Canceling 154
Driving downhill 154
Driving uphill 154
Fine adjustment 155
LOW RANGE mode 155
Saving current speed 154
Setting speeds 155
Cruise control lever 153
Cup holder 169
Cleaning 244
In front seat armrest 170
In instrument panel 169
In rear center console 170
Customer Assistance Center (CAC) 323