2005 MERCEDES-BENZ ML350 towing

295 Practical hints
Towing the vehicle
Front towing eye
The front towing eye is located on the
passenger side below the bumper.
1Towing eyeRear towing eyeThe rear towing eye is located behind the
right side cover in the bumper panel.
1Cover
2Towing eye
To remove cover:

Pry out the cover1 using a flat blade
screwdriver (
page 264).
To reinstall cover:

Engage cover at bottom and press in
top securely.
!When towing the vehicle with all wheels
on the ground, note the following:
With the automatic central locking
activated and the key in steering lock
position2, the vehicle doors lock if the
left front wheel is turning at vehicle
speeds of approx. 9 mph (15 km / h) or
more.
To prevent the vehicle doors from
locking, deactivate the automatic
central locking (
page 93).
Towing of the vehicle should only be
done using the towing eye. Never
attach tow cable, tow rope or tow rod
to vehicle chassis, frame or suspension
parts.
Warning!
G
In order to avoid possible serious burns or
injury, use extreme caution when removing
the cover, because the rear exhaust pipe is
extremely hot.

296 Practical hintsTowing the vehicleVehicles with sport package*1Cover
2Towing eye
To remove cover:
Grip cover1 at bottom and securely
pull out.
To reinstall cover:

Engage cover and press in securely.
Stranded vehicle
Freeing a stranded vehicle, on which the
wheels are dug into sand or mud, should
be done with the greatest of care, especial-
ly if the vehicle is heavily loaded.
Avoid pulling the vehicle jerkily or diago-
nally, since it could result in damage to the
chassis alignment.
Never try to free a vehicle that is still cou-
pled to a trailer.
If possible, a vehicle equipped with trailer
hitch receiver should be pulled backward
in its own previously made tracks.

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

335 Index
Driving abroad 216
Driving instructions
Towing a trailer 214
Driving off 199
Driving safety systems
4-ETS 79
ABS 76
BAS 78
ESP 80
Driving systems 153
Cruise control 153
Driving safety systems 76
EBP 80
Parktronic* 156
Driving through water 208
Driving tips 124
Accelerator position 124
Kickdown 124
E
Easy entry/exit feature* 101
EBP 80
Indicator lamp 251Economy mode
Automatic climate control 137
Electrical connections
Trailer 212
Electrical fuses 297
Electrical outlet 173
Electrical system
Technical data 309
Electrically folding exterior
rear view mirrors 130
Electronic Brake Proportioning see EBP
Electronic Stability Program see ESP
Electronic stability program see ESP
Electronic Traction System see 4-ETS
Emergency call system
Requirements 175
Emergency call system* 175
Emergency calls
Initiating an emergency call 178
With Tele Aid* 176
Emergency operation
(Limp Home Mode) 126Emergency operations
Closing tilt/sliding sunroof* 271
Locking the vehicle 269
Opening tilt/sliding sunroof* 271
Remote door unlock 182
Unlocking the vehicle 268
Emergency tensioning device see ETD
Emission control 217
Emission control label 304
Engine
Starting 47
Technical data 306
Turning off 55
Engine cleaning 242
Engine compartment
Hood 222
Main fuse box 298
Engine malfunction indicator lamp 254
Engine malfunction indicator lamp
(Canada only) 25
Engine malfunction indicator lamp
(USA only) 25
Engine number 323

336 IndexEngine oil 223, 314
Adding 226
Additives 314
Checking level 223
Consumption 223
Messages in display 224
Oil dipstick 226
Viscosity 324
Enlarged cargo compartment 100
Error
Display messages 263
ESP 25, 80, 324
Indicator lamp 251
LOW RANGE mode 81
Malfunction indicator lamp 251, 252,
253
Switching off 81
Switching on 82
Synchronizing 252
Warning lamp 258
ETD 324
Safety guidelines 62
ETD (Emergency tensioning device) 67Exterior mirrors
Folding 130
Exterior rear view mirrors
Adjusting 41
Folding electrically 130
F
Fastening the seat belts 43
Fine adjustment
Cruise control 155
First aid kit 264
Flat tire 284
Lowering the vehicle 287
Preparing the vehicle 284
Spare wheel 266
Flexible Service System (FSS) 237, 324
Fluid level
Automatic transmission 227
Fog lamps 111
Replacing bulbs 274
Fog lamps, front
Replacing bulbs 276
Switching on 112
Folding
Exterior mirrors 130Folding electrically
Exterior rear view mirrors 130
4-ETS 25, 79
Indicator lamp 259
LOW RANGE mode 80
Malfunction indicator lamp 259
Warning lamp 258
Front airbags 63
Front fog lamps
Indicator lamp 260
Front lamps
Replacing bulbs 274, 276
Front towing eye 295
Front turn signal bulbs
Replacing 278
FSS (Flexible Service System) 237, 324
Fuel 220
Additives 315
Fuel reserve warning lamp 259
Gasoline additives 315
Premium unleaded gasoline 220,
315
Requirements 315
Reserve warning 25

343 Index
Practical hints
First aid kit 264
Fuses 297
Lamps in instrument cluster 248
Spare wheel 266
Towing the vehicle 293
Vehicle jack 265
Vehicle tool kit 264
Premium unleaded gasoline 315
Problems
While driving 53
With vehicle 18
Product information 9
R
Radio transmitters, control and
operation 216
Rain sensor* 132, 133
Range of the sensors
Parktronic* 157
Rapid seat heating
Switching off 99
Rapid seat heating*
Switching on 99Reading lamp 29
Reading lamps 115
Rear automatic climate control 143
Adjusting air volume and air
distribution manually 143
Automatic mode 143
Rear bench seat
Foldable 100
Rear door window
Blocking operation 74
Rear fog lamp
Switching on 112
Rear lamp bulbs
Replacing 279
Rear passenger compartment ventilation
and climate control
Activating 143
Deactivating 143
Rear passenger compartment ventilation
and rear automatic climate
control 143
Rear quarter windows* 148
Closing 149
Opening 148Rear seats 99
Easy entry/exit feature* 101
Enlarging cargo compartment 100
Folding down backrest 100
Folding up 101
Folding up backrest 100
Fore and aft 100
Lowering 101
Third row* 102
Rear towing eye 295
Rear view mirror automatic antiglare 128
Rear view mirrors see Mirrors
Rear window defroster 135
Activating 135
Deactivating 135
Rear window wiper 133
Rain sensor* 133
Rear window wiper/washer 52
Reconnecting
Vehicle battery 289
Refrigerant
Air conditioning 314
Regular checks 221
Reinstalling vehicle battery 289

348 IndexTightening torque 327
Tightening torque (Wheel bolts) 287
Tilt
Head restraint 38, 40
Tilt/sliding sunroof*
Closing 150
Opening 150
Synchronizing 152
Time
Setting hours 119
Setting minutes 119
Tire inflation pressure
Checking 221, 232
Tire speed rating 202, 327
Tire traction 201
Tires 307
Direction of rotation 232
Driving instructions 200
Retreads 231
Rims and tires 307
Service life 232
Temperature 233
Temperature grades 321
Tread depth 235
Wear pattern 233
Winter 235Tools 264
Vehicle jack 265
Vehicles with CD-changer* 265
Wheel bolt wrench 265
Tow-away alarm 29, 84
Arming 84
Disarming 84
Disarming for transport 84
Towing
Trailer 211
Towing a trailer 214
Automatic transmission 125
Towing eye
Front 295
Rear 295
Towing the vehicle 293
Stranded vehicle 296
Tracking services
For stolen vehicle 183
Traction 320, 327
Trailer
Attaching 213
Loading 212
Towing 214Trailer hitches 211
Trailer towing 211
Attaching a trailer 213
Checking weights 213
Electrical connections 212
Hitches 211
Loading 212
Weights and ratings 212
Trailer weights and ratings 212
Transfer case 327
Transmission control – LOW RANGE
mode 127
Switching off 127
Switching on 127
Transmission selector lever 270
Unlocking manually 270
Tread depth (tires) 235
Treadwear 320

349 Index
Trip computer* 29, 189
Average fuel consumption 192
Compass 190
Country 193
Distance remaining 192
Language 193
Selecting functions 189
Setting date 189
Stop watch 192
Switching on 189
Trip odometer
Resetting 119
Trip odometer display 118
Trunk see Cargo compartment
Turn signal lamps
Replacing bulbs 274, 275
Turn signal, side marker lamp
Replacing bulbs 274
Turn signals 50
Additional in mirrors 274
Cleaning lenses 242
Front bulbs 274
Indicator lamps 25
Rear bulbs 275, 279Turning off
Engine 55
TWR (Tongue Weight Rating) 327
U
Unlocking 32, 88
Centrally from inside 94
Driver’s door in an emergency 268
Driver’s door, fuel filler flap 89
Fuel filler flap 219
In an emergency 268
Transmission selector lever
manually 270
Vehicle in an emergency 182
With the remote control 32
Upgrade signals
Tele Aid* 181
Uphill driving
Cruise control 154
Upholstery
Cleaning 245
Upshifting 121Useful features 167
Ashtrays and cigarette lighter 171
Cup holder 169
Electrical outlet 173
Garage door opener 183
Storage compartments 167
Tele Aid* 174
Telephone* 173
Trip computer* 189
V
Vehicle
Data recording 20
Locking 28
Locking in an emergency 269
Lowering 287
Proper use of 17
Service battery 272
Towing 293
Unlocking 28
Unlocking in an emergency 268
Vehicle and trailer weights and
ratings 212
Vehicle battery 272